MOUNT GREENWOOD — Volunteers from Saint Xavier University, St. Rita High School, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School and Queen of Martyrs Elementary School used 10,820 diapers to build a record-setting diaper cake.
The previous record for a diaper cake or diaper tower consisted of 5,280 diapers, according to a spokeswoman for the university at 3700 W. 103rd St. in Mount Greenwood.
A diaper cake is a decorative tower made of diapers (and sometimes other baby items) often given as a creative baby shower gift. The record-setting creation measured 6 feet wide, 6 feet 4 inches deep and 5 feet 8 inches tall.
The diaper cake was built Oct. 6 as part of Saint Xavier's homecoming service project, and donations were handed over to the Southwest Diaper Depository for Little Ends or SWADDLE. The Tinley Park-based charity distributes diapers to needy families in the area.
The diapers were handed over to several social service agencies, including Catholic Charities, Easter Seals, Respond Now, PASS Pregnancy Centers and the COURAGE Program.
One in three American families struggle to provide diapers for their children, according to SWADDLE.
St. Rita High School's student government officers presented a check for $1,227 to SWADDLE for diaper donations. The members include (from left) Josh Blaszak, Sean Macander, Joey Henze, Bobby Gikas, Nick Durham, Tim Zaleski and Connor Kelly. In the front row (from left) are the founders of SWADDLE, Carol Bradtke and Kathy Rogers. [DNAinfo/Supplied Photo]
Besides volunteers and donations from Saint Xavier, St. Rita's student government contributed to the effort by donating a check for $1,227 to SWADDLE. Mother McAuley students helped package donations along with 81 students from nearby Queen of Martyrs.
The Southwest Area Diaper Depository for Little Ends or SWADDLE has collected 130,255 diapers since February 2014. To learn more about the charity, visit its website.
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