Diapers for Dads 2024: A Celebration of Fatherhood and Community 

This December, Wellpoint Care Network welcomed fathers from across the community to our second annual Diapers for Dads distribution event, offering diapers, holiday gifts and connection — a reminder that no dad should feel alone during the holiday season.

November’s diaper collection drive built upon the success of the ongoing free diaper distribution pop-ups hosted throughout the year in partnership with Milwaukee Diaper Mission. Thanks to a dedicated network of partners, we ended up collecting more than 20,000 diapers — twice our original goal — and reached more than 200 families. 

“I hear from a lot of people who are down to their last few diapers about how much this really helps them and their family,” says Andrew Bonner IV, Community Engagement Coordinator at Wellpoint Care Network. “It alleviates a lot of their stress.” 

Help during the holiday season

When Dominique Bose first heard about the event on the local news, he knew that he needed to attend. “I ran out of diapers last night for my one-year-old and my four-year-old, who’s in pull-ups,” he said. “We’re going through potty training, and it’s been tough financially. This is a big help, especially with Christmas coming.”

For single father Corey Jones, Diapers for Dads came at just the right time. “It’s hard, even with a job, especially around the holidays,” he said. “This is like the cherry on top. It’s good to know there are people in the community providing resources for dads like me.” 

Stories like these remind us why showing up for dads matters—it changes lives. 

“A father who attended last year’s event told us the resources he received helped him get custody of his child,” said Bonner. “That just made my heart happy, because if I can help at least one father, I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”

year-round Help for year-round needs

As we continue to host diaper pop-ups in the New Year, Wellpoint Care remains committed to supporting and fostering healthy families. While providing diapers and gifts offers immediate relief, we know it’s only part of the solution. Families also need access to resources that address the root causes of diaper need, like employment opportunities, affordable childcare, and family support systems.

That’s why we connect families to resources year-round so that parents can focus on building stable, healthy futures for their children. This approach is guided by our Five Pillars of Stability: Economic Stability, Education, Housing, Health and Caring Connections. These pillars form the foundation of our work, helping families move from crisis to stability and empowering them to thrive. 

Events like Diapers for Dads are made possible by the generosity of our partners: Associated Bank, Milwaukee Diaper Mission, Kiewit Corporation, Molina Healthcare, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin, Lightburn, Gene B. Glick Company, Burn Boot Camp – Sussex and Revealing Christ Ministries. Their support helped us create a space where dads felt celebrated, seen, and valued during the holiday season. 

Fathers who left with armfuls of diapers, pre-wrapped gifts and connections to local resources shared a sense of relief and possibility. One dad summed it up perfectly: “This event gives you a little breathing room. That means everything when you’re just trying to do your best.”