UA Little Rock nursing students hold diaper drive for Conway daycare

Two University of Arkansas at Little Rock nursing students donated diapers and baby wipes to a daycare center in Conway to help those in need from COVID-19.

Nursing students Keith Lattimore, of Conway, and Jerrick Johnson, of Pine Bluff, donated more than 1,000 diapers and 1,150 baby wipes to Kid’s World Childcare Center on Oct. 13. 

“I know the young lady, Jamisa Hogan, who owns the daycare center,” Lattimore said. “She told me that there are a lot of people in need since COVID-19. She often helps families that need diapers and wipes.”

Lattimore and Johnson participated in the drive as their volunteerism and service learning project for their Obstetric and Reproductive Nursing class at UA Little Rock.

“The School of Nursing wants to instill a sense of community and service as a part of the students’ responsibilities to keeping Arkansas healthy,” said Lindsey Baertlein, instructor of nursing. “By participating in a diaper drive, these two men provided diapers and wipes to a local business and parents who may not be able to provide necessities such as diapers and wipes to children while their parents are working.” 

The students set up donation boxes at their homes and places of employment. After collecting donations for two months, the daycare center was grateful to receive the donations to help parents who could use a helping hand.

“This drive was more of a blessing for us,” Johnson said. “The people who work at the daycare were very grateful for what we did. It actually humbles you to know that you’ve helped someone. Everyone needs help in some sort of fashion.”

In the end, Lattimore and Johnson, who will graduate in May 2021, were grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community.

“We weren’t looking for recognition,” Lattimore said. “We were just doing something that would be good for other people. I’m glad that we were able to provide a service to help people in need.”