Operation Diaper Bag is an ongoing community donation effort put on by the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center to supply veteran mothers with baby essentials.
The Tualatin Valley Elks Lodge assisted for the second year with the project, and according to Lodge Inner Guard Gail Gifford, a $1,000 Freedom Grant from the National Elks Foundation has allowed the lodge to purchase heaps of helpful baby necessities for donation.
Gifford told Tualatin Life that the Elks Lodge currently has a supply of 30 diaper bags, “a carload of diapers,” wipes, outfits and other baby essentials at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center for veteran mothers in the area.
“Whatever mom that goes to the VA and needs help, they can just take an empty bag and fill it with what they need,” Gifford said. “The Elks is all about helping people. A lot of our members are veterans, and so this has a place close to our heart.”
Gifford said that initial feedback from the community has already inspired her and other lodge members to continue the effort and highlighted a need in the community. She said the lodge learned during their first donation that “three moms were requesting assistance.”
“For our little lodge, we have less than 200 members, for us to apply for the grant and get that and then almost match that with other donations of our own; it just made us all feel good,” Gifford said.
Operation Diaper Bag has an Amazon Wish List at tinyurl.com/h3kdvtbr or donations can be dropped off at the Tualatin Valley Elks Lodge at 8350 SW Warm Springs St, Tualatin. They are open Fridays and Saturdays at 5 p.m.
