Berks senior clubs collect diapers for Ukrainian refugees
Jun. 25—Senior clubs from all over Berks County joined to collect and donate more than 1,000 packages of baby diapers for Ukrainian refugees.
The effort was started by Rose Glaser of Muhlenberg Township in response to news reports of those fleeing their towns and cities after the Russian military attack on Ukraine.
Glaser, owner of the former restaurant The Rose, which operated on the corner of Muhlenberg and Wunder streets from 1985 to 1996, has organized benefits for military veterans and others.
She does not give up easily. So when her initial idea of raising funds with a walkathon fell through, she remained determined to do something.
"I thought, 'I bet they need diapers,'" she said. "So instead of a walkathon, we'll have a diaperthon."
She ran the idea by her friend Louise Reaser of Reading. Both women are members of the Tuckerton Nifty Fifty senior club in Muhlenberg.
Reaser advised pitching the concept to club president Darryl Wenrich. And with his support, they presented the idea at the club's meeting in March. By April, members were filling their meeting space at an area church with diapers.
"So often seniors want to help," Glaser said, "but don't know how. This was something simple they could do."
Glaser did not stop with her own club. She visited senior clubs all over the county and beyond, asking for donations. Soon the diapers were pouring in from senior centers in Blandon, Fleetwood, Mohnton and as far away as Richland, Lebanon County. Churches, too, and even a doctor's office donated, and Rose logged many miles for pickup.
"Everyone was really generous," Reaser said.
As a thank you, donors were given ribbon pins in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag.
With all those diapers, Glaser faced the problem of where to store them.
That was solved by Tim Sherman, president and manager of the North End Rod and Gun Club in the Northmont section of the city. Sherman offered the use of the club's social room for storage.
"If any club members didn't like it, they didn't complain to me," he said.
Just one hurdle remained: how to get the diapers to Ukraine.
One shipping company gave Glaser a quote of more than $1,000 for just one box, she said.
With the help of staff at the United Way of Berks County, she was connected with Convoy of Hope.
Based in Springfield, Mo., the disaster relief organization provides food, supplies and humanitarian services to impoverished or otherwise needy populations throughout the world.
Glaser, Reaser and a group of volunteers packed the diapers Friday into five large pallet containers to await the scheduled pickup.
"It turned out to be a very good project," Reaser said.
