On July 26, 2018, I held a baby boy called Arlo in my arms. He was beautiful, he was my son, and he was loved. My body had worked hard to create him. He was never given a chance to take a breath in this world, he came silently into it, and left me completely broken.

Every year since, we have hosted a diaper drive to collect diapers and funds for a diaper bank.

It was shocking to us to learn about diaper need in this country. 1 in 3 American families struggle to provide adequate diapering supplies for their children.

Diapers are as essential to a child’s well being, as food and shelter are, yet state and safety net programs do not recognize them as a basic need. There are 5.2 million babies and toddlers in poor or low income families, with the average cost a month of diapers being around $80. There are no federal programs that cover diapers, yet babies can require up to 12 diapers a day!

As a mother, I cannot imagine not being able to change my child’s diaper as needed. My heart breaks at the thought of my baby crying from discomfort, having to time how long they stay in that soiled diaper, otherwise risking not having enough diapers to last the month.

In 2023, we joined forces with Greentrike and the Children’s Museum of Tacoma to start the Monarch Diaper Bank within the museum. We are proud to partner with this organization, who are easing the hardship of many families every month. Through them, Arlo’s legacy lives on. In his name, we endeavor to make a difference in our community.