Birthday Bash a Big Hit
Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias (in the back in black shirt) talks with Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona Board President Michelle Anthony at the check-in table.
The Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona’s warehouse was teeming with excitement Tuesday, Sept 9 as local celebrities, elected officials, supporters, volunteers, donors and board members old and new gathered to celebrate the organization’s 20th anniversary.
The humble setting of the warehouse and parking lot were transformed with a touch of elegance as guests were greeted by the musical stylings of young harpist Lola Kolodisner.
Lola Kolodisner added an air of sophistication to the evening.
Children stood mesmerized as Lola’s fingers deftly played her instrument. Asked if they had ever seen anyone play a harp before one little girl said “Yes, but I have never seen a kid play one.”
Every year the Diaper Bank holds a warehouse party to thank its supporters for all they do to help the Diaper Bank meet its mission of meeting diaper need. This year’s celebration was the biggest and brightest so far as approximately 100 people converged on the warehouse to honor 20 years of service and to kick off Diaper Need Awareness Week 2014.
Board President Michelle Anthony cheers along with the crowd as District 5 Supervisor Richard Elías reads the Diaper Need Awareness Week proclamation.
Preparations leading up to the event, included securing declarations from local jurisdictions proclaiming Sept. 8th to the 14th as Diaper Need Awareness Week. District 5 Supervisor Richard Elías was on hand to read the Pima County Board of Supervisor’s proclamation to the appreciative crowd. As he read he got some rousing cheers for the each of the Diaper Bank’s hallmarks noted in the proclamation.
MIXfm’s Bobby Rich gave the crowd a history lesson.
One of the evening’s most honored participants was one of the original founding-supporters of the Diaper Bank, 94.9 MIXfm’s Bobby Rich. Rich gave the crowd an oral history of the Diaper Bank that included the story of how he and others literally collected diapers for the first diaper drive in 1994 by standing on a street corner.
“Back in 1994 the founders Hildy Gottlieb and Dimitri Petropolis faxed a notice of the diaper drive to every single media outlet in the area,” Rich said. “I was the only one to respond to it.”
And as they say the rest was history. Rich’s unwavering support over the past two decades includes an annual radio play benefiting the Diaper Bank and the December Diaper Drives, last year $28,761.94 was raised and 29,771 diapers and incontinence items were donated.
The evening’s festivities culminated in a faux ribbon cutting meant to symbolize the Diaper Bank’s journey into its next 20 years.
The amazing event would not have been possible without the support of the community and these Tucson businesses that donated. A big thanks to: Eva’s Party Rentals, Baggin’s Gourmet Sandwiches, Trader Joe’s(Grant and Swan store), Chick-fil-A El Con; Cakes for Causes; Lonely Street Productions and Sisters Designs.
Check out the photos below to see who else came and celebrated.
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