Baldwin EMC and South Baldwin Regional Medical Center are in the midst of their “Help Every Little Bottom” campaign, teaming up to help collect diapers for local families that have been affected by the economy and oil spill.

With their “Help Every Little Bottom” campaign, the two groups hope to help families of Baldwin County and eliminate the national diaper statistic that one in three American families face hardships of providing a diaper for their baby.

“That campaign is running until May 14,” said Karen Moore, Baldwin EMC vice-president of member services and public relations. “It began March 14. We are promoting our three offices in Orange Beach, Summerdale and Bay Minette as drop-off locations for diapers of any size that will be given to the South Baldwin Regional Medical Center who is working with United Way to get those distributed to needy families.”

Rachel Kaiser, marketing director for South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, said the donation turnout has been “pretty decent” thus far.

“We have pushed the diaper program heavily,” she said. “I just got back from the front lobby and we had several packages that were dropped off.”

Moore said an upcoming blood drive could bring more generous people to one drop-off location.

“On (Thursday) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Baldwin EMC office in Summerdale, we are going to have a blood drive and push people who can or cannot donate blood to bring some diapers,” Moore said. “If they cannot come to the drive, we’ll still be collecting through May 14.”

There is a need to collect diapers, Moore said, because many families have been affected by the oil spill and suffering economy.   

“Our communities have been hurting for quite some time. Our economies have turned down and in the past year we have seen families affected by the oil spill,” Moore said. “It seems the need is greater than it has been. We were approached by South Baldwin Regional to help them and Baldwin EMC is community minded and serves so many people in the area. It’s our way of giving back.”

Kaiser said she heard about the diaper need through an “email blast” and the two groups immediately wanted to do something to help.

“Basically it was three out of five families in the area cannot afford diapers for their children,” Kaiser said. “It caused a great concern and we wanted to help in that capacity. We have a big heart for the babies in the area.”

Residents are encouraged to collect diapers and drop them by the medical center in Foley, the Urgent Care Center in Gulf Shores, Robertsdale Medical Specialists or the Baldwin EMC offices in Summerdale, Bay Minette or Orange Beach.