Back to School!

Cool Baby Kid readers know I am a proud Pampers Baby Board member having used Pampers diapers for the last 5+ years with two children. With an opportunity to visit their headquarters in Cincinnati, I personally met part of a dedicated team who do much more than create and promote diapers. Continuously thinking of ways to help communities, Pampers announced to all Baby Board members we would be given $1,000 to share with our our community in any way we choose. Celebrating their 50th Birthday, Pampers Miracle Missions aims to make the world a better place for every little miracle. They’ve donated diapers and wipes to o Direct Relief International, threw a Father’s Day cookout for dads and their babies and 1,000 baby showers for expectant moms across the country.

This time it was our turn.

With such examples it would seem an easy task to give back to our own communities, and yet deciding how best to utilize Pampers’ gift was anything but easy. As my mind raced with possibilities, I met with an amazing team in the Pediatric Program at John Heinz Rehab and Allied Rehab and learned about the children who are served at their facility. Their therapists treat diagnoses such as developmental delays, cerebral palsy, autism and brain injury for children of all ages. Together, we decided to celebrate the “miracles” or rehab ambassadors who have gone through the program but may not have had a chance to share their stories.

In August “Celebrating Miracles in Rehab” invited these current and former rehab “ambassadors” and their families for a Back to School-themed celebration. Thanks to $1,000 and backpacks filled with water bottles, notebooks and pens from pampers, guests were treated to refreshments and, more importantly, an opportunity to share their stories. For instance, one mom who agreed to be filmed, told the crowd about her son Ralphie. One of two of her children who sustained brain injuries in a car accident, it was apparent Ralphie had traveled a long road to recovery thanks to both his loving family and the Allied Pediatric Rehab team.

This and other stories from parents, foster care parents and families who were similarly aided by Allied Rehab at very vulnerable times in their lives made it abundantly clear I had made the right decision. I feel blessed to have been given this amazing opportunity by Pampers and thank them from the bottom of my heart for making this and other “Miracle Missions” happen.

On a side note, extra Back to School packs donated by Pampers were donated to United Neighborhood Center in Scranton just in time for kids’ who need them as they head into a new school year. As a teacher, I greatly appreciate this. Thanks Pampers!

Disclaimer: I am a Pampers Baby Board member and actively promote this company I love.

Cool Tip: Visit Pamper’s Miracle Missions on Facebook and support their latest mission by pledging your help.  Also visit Allied Services on Facebook to check out some of the amazing things they are doing for the community!