Ashburn-Based Collection Provides 1.2 Million Diapers And Wipes To Nonprofits

ASHBURN, VA — A collection of baby items in Ashburn drew 1.2 million items donated, well surpassing last year's total of 766,000.

The collection of diapers and wipes supported HomeAid National Capital Region’s Builders for Babies Diaper Drive, which provided the supplies to 45 nonprofits. St. John Properties’ Ashburn Crossing, a flex commercial space complex, was the collection point for HomeAid.

The drive, which ended on Father's Day, had a nearly 60 percent increase in collected items over the last year. Participating individuals and businesses collected diapers and wipes through collection events, encouraged donations of diapers, or made a monetary donation through HomeAid’s website. Money raised online went toward purchases of diapers and wipes through a wholesaler.

HomeAid National Capital Region has been organizing the drive since 2018, and Ashburn Crossing has been the collection point for the last two years.

"We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support generated by our annual diaper drive which
directly impacts local families who cannot afford the more than $100 needed each month to provide necessary items for each child," said Kristyn Burr, CEO of HomeAid National Capital Region. "This program helps families bridge the diaper insecurity gap, reduces stress, and improves the physical wellbeing and health of an infant."

Over 70 employees and other volunteers helped load the diapers and wipes onto volunteer trucks, which then delivered to 45 nonprofits around Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Shenandoah Valley. Before loading the deliveries, volunteers sorted and took inventory to ensure nonprofits would receive the correct number of supplies requested.

"Our space at Ashburn Crossing is centrally located and perfectly suited to handle the warehousing needs of this drive and we were more than happy to offer it again to support this extremely important effort," said Matt Holbrook, regional partner for St. John Properties. "Our team realizes that many Northern Virginia-area individuals struggle to adequately provide for their families and are unaware of the resources available to them."

HomeAid National Capital Region, a chapter of HomeAid America, is a nonprofit that coordinates housing and programmatic facilities for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It is the official nonprofit of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association, as it seeks in-kind donations of labor and materials from the building industry to support nonprofits that address homelessness.