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Ten Million

REASONS TO
CELEBRATE

Baby Basics is a volunteer organization that relies
on its hundreds of volunteers, some of which are
n 2004, Mary Noyola was a mother of two children under
seen here, to arrange and distribute diapers twice
four-years-old – one being an infant – and felt overwhelmed. a month at one of 12 distribution sites throughout
Collier County and Bonita Springs.
IShe needed help. Luckily for her, and hundreds of other area
moms, there was an organization taking root in Southwest Florida
that would assist low-income, working families by providing them loving the child and using their
with a baby essential that most new moms take for granted. Diapers. income to provide other basics like
Did you know that the cost to provide disposable diapers for one food, shelter, and clothes. Soon after
baby can cost up to $80 per month? Did you know that one in three the first Baby Basics was formed,
American families reports not having sufficient diapers for their people began to take notice and Mary Noyola, and her daughter Alondra,
child? And, did you know that there are no state or federal safety realize that diaper need wasn’t local. who was one of the first babies enrolled
in Baby Basics of Collier County when it
net programs in place to provide diapers for children in need? It plagues millions of working parents was formed in 2004.
Baby Basics of Collier County officially opened in 2004, but it all across the country.
actually all started back in 1992. Jean Ann Lynch found that there Additional offices opened in Massachusetts, North Carolina,
were moms that simply couldn’t afford to feed and provide enough and finally in Naples in 2004. Today, over 30 organizations are
diapers for their young children. So, she opened the original modeled after the original Baby Basics program and over
Baby Basics in New Jersey with a simple goal in mind – to provide 15 are affiliates of the Baby Basics National Development Corporation.
diapers and kindness to babies from low-income, working families. So, when Mary’s baby girl was just a few months old, she became
With this costly necessity paid for, the parents could then focus on one of the first families referred to Baby Basics of Collier County.
Every two weeks, Mary was given a two week supply of diapers and,
sometimes more importantly, kindness, during this most stressful time.
“Baby Basics made me realize that there are people willing to
help you when you need help,” said Mary. “This little organization
made such an impact on our lives. By providing diapers for my
daughter, we could buy food for both of our kids. It truly just gave
us a chance to breathe during that stressful time.”
Today, the baby girl who just needed some diapers is a
15-year-old sophomore at Gulf Coast High School who loves
playing the viola in the school orchestra. And, her older brother?
He is a sophomore at the University of Florida.
Mary’s story is one that is echoed by hundreds of local mothers
right here in Southwest Florida. In fact, now in its 15th year,
Baby Basics of Collier County has donated 10 million diapers to
local, hardworking families in need and that calls for a celebration!
On January 13, Baby Basics will host Denim & Diamonds for
Diapers at Vanderbilt Country Club. Sponsored by Life in Naples
and Synovus Bank, this country themed commemoration will
feature a delicious, nouveau Nashville themed dinner; specialty
cocktails; and a grand prize package for two to Nashville with
airfare and hotel.

For more information about Baby Basics of Collier County, its success
Above: Baby Basics’ founder and board president, Jean Ann Lynch, and a stories, or to purchase tickets to Denim & Diamonds, please visit
participating family picking up their two week supply of diapers at a distribution.
www.BabyBasicsCollier.org today.

20 Life in Naples | January 2020