The Genesee County Bar Association (GCBA) Family Court Committee and Community Action Committee sponsored a diaper drive from December 1 through January 22. When the curtains were parted at the Flint Masonic Temple during the GCBA's January 26 meeting, fluffy offerings spread from one side of the stage to the other.

"I'm not surprised by the response," said Barb Dawes, chairperson of the Family Court Committee. "Genesee County attorneys are very generous with their time and money. This is a perfect example of what our attorneys do for the community."

The Family Court Committee holds a community fundraiser every December. The Community Action Committee, chaired by Jessica Hammon, is a new committee that works to increase the bar's charitable activities in Genesee County.

The drive, conceived of by GCBA Vice President Shayla Blankenship, was fueled by word of mouth, emails, and direct challenges from one attorney to another. Family Court Committee member John Zintsmaster donated 10 boxes of diapers and then promised to match donations from other attorneys. He had to cap his offer after five days due to the high level of response from his fellow attorneys, including GCBA President Jeffrey Himelhoch.

"Many had no idea how expensive diapers are now," Blankenship said. "That cost can make it hard for a lot of low-income people to meet the need." Angie Hendershot, co-founder and co-director of the Flint Diaper Bank and anchor of ABC-12 News in Flint, attended the meeting and thanked the members.

Donations of unopened diaper packages were provided to the Flint Diaper Bank where they were distributed to the community.

—Steve Thorpe (Robert Mathis and Lynn Ingram contributed to this story.)