Abigail Dunagan, Campus Carrier arts and living editor

The Christian based organization Young Lives has been working to provide aid to the young mothers of Rome Georgia. Through the month of October, the organization held a Diaper Drive fundraiser aimed to raise money to buy diapers for mothers through the ages of 16-19. The Diaper Drive ended on at the end of October, but Young Lives will still accept donations to help young moms. 

Senior MaryAnn McMinn is a leader of the Young Lives team that works to organize the Diaper Drive. The role of the team lead is a two-year position, and McMinn stated that she started the fundraiser when she first became the leader a year ago. Her duties include delegating tasks to other team members such as making flyers, putting flyers around campus and marketing the drive around Rome. The first Diaper Drive was held last year with the goal of raising $1000. Last year around $800 was raised. This year, the fundraiser was able to raise over $2000. The money from the fundraiser is used to purchase diapers, wipes and other essential items that the mothers might need. 

“We chose to have a monetary goal of $1000, and I think to all of us that was a little daunting, because that is a really big number,” McMinn said. “Last year we raised a lot, but we didn’t raise $1000. I think that the most challenging part is making that goal, knowing that we have to depend on the Lord to provide for that goal.” 

According to McMinn, a lot of the support for the drive comes from local churches. Apart from the churches, members have found that a lot of support has come from their personal communities and social circles. McMinn feels that the fundraiser has grown as a result of team members sharing with others how the young mothers will be blessed by the support. 

“I think that getting to tell people and sharing with them where the money will be going and the lives that it will be touching has been really beneficial for our diaper drive,”                                                        McMinn said. 

Senior Julia Newsom has been involved with Young Lives since her sophomore year at Berry. According to Newsom, Young Lives hosts bi-weekly meetings where group members discuss ways that they plan to help the community. 

“What we do while we are there, is we will provide child-care,” Newsom said. “We will take care of the babies and hang out with the kids, while the moms get to be kids for a little bit. We will do different spa-days, or different fun activities so they can relax and so they don’t have to be mom for a day.” 

Sophomore Ari Winfrey volunteers at Young Lives through the WinShape College Program. According to Winfrey, she primarily helps with child-care during the events for the mothers. Winfrey initially got involved with the program because she knew other students who were involved, and she was interested in serving a community of young mothers. 

“I was really interested when there was such a unique ministry geared to genuinely encouraging and helping young mothers, and making a tangible difference in their lives,” Winfrey said. 

The money from the drive is used to purchase necessity items, and these items are kept in a closet where the mothers can take what they need. Newsom said that one of her favorite parts of being involved with the drive is getting to see how this will impact the lives of young mothers. 

“Last year, just being able to see the stacks of diapers was the best part,” Newsom said. “We literally went to Sam’s and had two carts full of diapers. Just being able to see how this is going to bless those moms, and being able to provide this for them is just so sweet.”