Women and families across the Rockaway Peninsula received essential supplies at no cost during the St. John’s ICARE Foundation’s Care and Comfort Diaper and Menstrual Supplies Giveaway, held on June 18 at the Episcopal Health Services (EHS) Clinical Learning Center.
The event, which provided more than 100 diaper bags and 400 packages of menstrual products to families in need, was made possible through a collaboration between the St. John’s ICARE Foundation, the Allied Foundation and the Episcopal Church of St. Alban the Martyr.
“We are so grateful to the Allied Foundation and the Episcopal Church of St. Alban the Martyr for partnering with us to supply these basic essential needs to our community,” said Nancy Leghart, Executive Director of the St. John’s ICARE Foundation. “Partnerships like these help the ICARE Foundation provide the families in our communities with the support and resources they need to thrive.”
Heather Edwards, Executive Director of the Allied Foundation, expressed her organization’s commitment to addressing diaper needs and period poverty in Far Rockaway.
“Through the Care and Comfort Giveaway, we aim to provide babies and their families with diapers and wipes to keep them clean, dry and healthy, along with period supplies needed to manage menstrual health safely, effectively and with dignity. By coming together, we can improve the health and well-being of those in the community we serve,” said Edwards.
Donna Jones, Lay Eucharistic Minister at the Episcopal Church of St. Alban the Martyr, highlighted the church’s dedication to supporting the ICARE Foundation’s mission.
“It has been an ongoing joy to serve with the ICARE Foundation over the past years as we carry out Christ’s work in the Diocese of Long Island, specifically benefiting our brothers and sisters on the Far Rockaway Peninsula,” said Jones. “Our parishioners have been incredible with donations of children’s books and mother/baby items, helping to address period poverty in 2023 and 2024 with our menstrual hygiene campaign, and, of course, with our annual participation with Adopt-A-Family for many years. We are led by the Holy Spirit to help.”
Team members of Episcopal Health Services and St. John’s Medical Group also participated in the event. They were on hand to book pediatric appointments, provide blood pressure screenings, share information about maternal health and disseminate various health-related materials to attendees.
