PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. — A basic baby need isn’t being met for many families in the Kansas City metro area.
Nearly 23,000 children are not receiving the diapers they need to stay happy and dry.
Ruth Durham, 97, started a year-round penny drive for the nonprofit Happy Bottoms to make a difference and keep busy while living in a senior living community.
"I guess it's a heart thing with me. I just want our children cared for," Durham said.
Collecting spare change over a two-year period, she’s raised nearly $1,300 for Happy Bottoms.
"I do have to sometimes go over to the bank and run them through the changer, which we broke one time with so many pennies," Durham said.
The organization can use the money to buy more than 9,000 diapers.
"Our diaper expense is increasing every single year and we have to have the funds to make sure that we can provide these diapers to the families that are relying on us," said Jill Gaikowski of Happy Bottoms.
Durham said by Valentine's day, she hopes to have met her $1,500 goal.
