COCHRANE— Looking to ensure new families in the community have the essential items they need, the Cochrane Pregnancy Care Centre is hosting a Diaper Drive this weekend.
The Cochrane Pregnancy Care Centre, a local charity that helps financially distressed expecting and new parents, is hosting the fundraiser on Saturday (Aug. 29) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The charity offers its services to anyone who requires pregnancy tests, options counselling, or post-abortion grief support. The service also offers a clothing boutique with baby and maternity clothes and more.
“With COVID and everything it's kind of difficult to plan anything in person, so we wanted to do something a little different and go on the concept of a bottle drive, but we’re collecting diapers and other donations,” said Elise Shelly, the office manager of the Centre.
The Centre has set up a page on its website, which allows people to enter their name and address and the items they are donating. The staff of the Centre will make their way around town to collect donations.
In addition to diapers, the charity is also accepting wipes, gift cards and monetary donations.
Laurel Pedersen, the executive director of the Centre, added the charity would prefer the gift cards to be from locally owned businesses, like Two Pharmacy.
An unexpected pregnancy is hard enough to deal with, without the added stress of worrying about the resources need to care for a child.
The Centre offers individuals in that situation the support they need to make the best decision they can.
“Finding oneself pregnant is a huge decision, that often feels like it’s being made in a very short time frame. When we’re in crisis, it’s difficult for us to think and it’s difficult for us to make long-term decisions,” she said.
That is where the Pregnancy Care Centre steps in, to help provide people in that situation with the information and support they need to make the decision that they want to make, said Pedersen.
“It’s empowering women and men to make a good long-term decision, even though they’re in a situation that might feel like a pressure cooker in the short-term,” she said.
To participate in the Diaper Drive, register at cochranepreg.com/ and click on the donate tab at the top of the page.
People who wish to do so are also free to drop off items at the shelter, at 118 1st Ave. West. The staff of the Cochrane Pregnancy Care Centre will be set up in the parking lot from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to receive the donations.
