WCIA Diaper Drive 2024 (2024)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — WCIA 3 is hosting a Diaper Drive on Thursday as part of Nexstar’s Founder’s Day of Caring.

People can stop by WCIA 3’s Backlot (across from the Champaign Public Library) between 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and donate new / unopened packs of diapers for newborns and toddlers. We will also be accepting monetary donations.

A full list of donation locations, in addition to the Backlot, is available at the bottom of this blog.

As part of the event, a few local public officials will be participating in a doll diaper changing contest. Competitors will include Champaign Mayor Deborah Feinen, Champaign Fire Chief Andy Quarnstrom, Champaign School District Superintendent Shelia Boozer and State Senator Paul Faraci.

We’ll be posting updates and photos from the event throughout the day.

Update at 7 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The 2024 WCIA Diaper Drive is officially in the books.

Over the course of 13 hours, we collected 14,220 diapers and $8,408 in money donations.

The Top 3 finishers in the diaper changing contest were Kevin Hildebrand (25.5 seconds), Jacinda Dariotis (25.8 seconds) and Lisa Rector (26.9 seconds). A full list of competitors, their times, and videos of their attempts can be found by clicking here.

Thank you, Central Illinois!

Update at 6:53 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — United Way’s Sue Grey talked a bit about what happens to the diapers after they are collected.

Update at 6:48 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — You’ve seen them share the anchor desk together, but now they’re competing head-to-head! Who can change a diaper faster: Jennifer Roscoe or Kevin Lighty?

Update at 6:30 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — WCIA 3’s Jennifer Roscoe spoke with Sue Grey from United Way about the importance of collecting diapers for families in need.

Update at 6:16 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign Police Officer Ashley Petkunas was next up for the Diaper Challenge at the 2024 WCIA Diaper Drive.

Update at 6:05 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — WCIA 3’s Courtney Layne Brewer and Karina Rubio battled in a race against the clock on who could diaper a baby doll the fastest.

Update at 5:30 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Wrapping up WCIA 3 News at 5, there is an update on donations.

After over 11 hours of collecting diapers and money donations, there are 13,000 diapers and over $8,000 in cash.

There are 90 minutes to go in the WCIA Diaper Drive.

Update at 5:25 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In addition to the diaper drive in the WCIA 3 Backlot, businesses around Champaign County collected diapers on Thursday. Chief Meteorologist Kevin Lighty went around the county to collect diapers from those businesses and brought them to the Backlot to join the other diapers collected.

Update at 5:15 p.m.

Jennifer Roscoe speaks with Kayla Banks, the Chancellor of Methodist College in Peoria, on what her college does and how important it is for babies to have diapers.

Update at 5:10 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — It’s Jennifer Roscoe’s turn to take on the diaper changing challenge.

Update at 5 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Coming out of the 4 o’clock hour, the WCIA Diaper Drive has collected over 12,000 diapers and has collected almost $7,900 in donations.

United Way of Champaign County is still looking for Size 4 and 5 diapers. The WCIA Diaper Drive will continue for two more hours and the community is welcome to stop by the WCIA Backlot to drop off those sizes of diapers or any cash contribution.

Update at 4:45 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The next competitors in the diaper changing challenge are facing off against each other.

Jacinda Dariotis with the University of Illinois Family Resiliency Center and Dr. Brent Reifsteck, Medical Director of Children’s Services at Carle, squared off on First News at Four. Jacinda was defending her runner-up status in the competition.

Afterward, Dariotis spoke with WCIA’s Karina Rubio about her organization, what it does and how their mission ties into the need for diapers in the Champaign-Urbana community.

Update at 4:30 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Amy and Kirsten from Copper Creek Contractors came on WCIA First News at Four to present a $1,000 check to United Way of Champaign County.

“We believe in smiles and kindness, and sometimes it takes a village to raise a community,” Amy said. “Jeremy Janes and our entire team believe in giving back and we help where we can, when we can.”

$1,000 is the average price that families spend on diapers per year for just one baby.

Update at 4:10 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Coverage of the WCIA Diaper Drive continues with First News at 4.

State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) was one of the many local officials who stopped by the WCIA Backlot during our diaper drive. It’s been 17 years since he’s had to change a diaper, but he gave the diaper change challenge a go anyway.

He had to beat 25 seconds to take the lead. He did not accomplish that.

“Who can do that in 25 seconds?” Faraci asked.

The answer: Kevin Hildebrand of CRS Hospitality, who’s held the lead since this morning.

Faraci is also planning a diaper drive of his own and encouraged the community to come out again to support people in need of diapers.

Update at 12:30 p.m.

Julie Pryde, Administrator of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department, presented a check of $3,000 from her organization to WCIA’s Diaper Drive. Speaking with WCIA’s Karina Rubio, Pryde highlighted the importance of changing babies’ diapers and how her organization is involved in the mission of getting diapers to families who need them.

Pryde also took part in the diaper changing race, along with a few other local officials. As of 12:45, here’s the top 3 diaper changers:

The standings of the diaper changing race, and video of each competitor, can be found by clicking here.

The WCIA 3 News at Noon team also gave diaper changing a try. Watch the video below to find out who won.

Update at 12 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — WCIA 3’s Mitchell Rife opens News at Noon with an interview with Sue Grey, President and CEO of United Way of Champaign County on the importance of the diaper drive and where those diapers will go. There’s also an update on how many diapers have been collected so far and who leads the diaper changing race.

Update at 9:45 a.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — WCIA 3’s Mitchell Rife says we have not received and size 5 diaper donations yet.

Rife shares an update on the top times for the diaper change races so far:

Update at 9:40 a.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — WCIA 3’s Matthew White provides an update on the diaper racing leaderboard, as well as how many donations have been collected so far and how you can help.

Update at 9:15 a.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Watch WCIA 3’s Amanda Brennan and Seth Bohnhoff give diaper changing a try.

Brennan reminds everyone that the diaper drive at the WCIA 3 backlot will be open through 7 p.m. If you’re not in Champaign, several locations are collecting donations across Savoy and Urbana as well. The full list is below at the bottom of the page.

Update at 9 a.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Chip Holmes of First State Bank presents a check donation to United Way Champaign.

“I had a fantastic opportunity to be a part of United Way’s Merging Community Leaders program. I was fortunate enough to work with the diaper program,” Holmes said. “And when I told our executives at the bank, they were ecstatic for the opportunity to donate and today seemed like a great opportunity.”

Update at 7 a.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — WCIA’s Mitchell Rife provides an update on the diaper racing leaderboard. The fastest time so far is Jason Rector with 32.9 seconds.

Leaderboard

Among this morning’s racers so far was Champaign Fire Chief Andy Quarnstrom.

“I fumbled a bit, but for a period of time I was in first place because I was the only one that had gone, so I felt good about that,” Quarnstrom said.

The races will continue throughout the day and we will continue to share updates on the top times and racers.

Update at 6:45 a.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — United Way’s President, CEO teaches WCIA’s Matthew White how to properly change a diaper.

The two talk about how families spend about $1,000 on diapers each year. Grey said over the years she’s heard a lot of positive feedback from care providers.

“We’re just very grateful that we have this opportunity to do it and that we can help people in our community in all kinds of ways. And this helps our littlest people. This is our future.”

Update at 6:30 a.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — WCIA’s Mitchell Rife and United Way’s President and CEO Sue Grey say donations have already started coming in.

Grey explains how the diaper race will work, where local public officials will race against time to change diapers on dolls.

Update at 6 a.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — WCIA’s Mitchell Rife meets Sue Grey, United Way President and CEO to kick off today’s Diaper Drive. Grey talks about why it’s important to ensure families have access to diapers and how the community can help.

Below is a full list of the other locations that are collecting diapers: