Annually, it costs about $1,200 per child.

Not doctors appointments, food and clothing. No, it is actually the cost just for diapers.

With a focus this year by United Way of Mid Coast Maine on creating a strong early childhood experience, part of the initiative is its new diaper drive. A pyramid of diapers sat on a table — about 4,000 diapers representing a year’s worth of diapers for one child — as visitors arrived at the United Way kick off at Maine Maritime Museum Tuesday evening. The collection grew as people attending the event brought more boxes and packages of diapers.

United Way announced its 2014 campaign goal of $1,915,000 at the kickoff.

Larissa Darcy, the campaign chair and community banking regional vice president for Bank of Maine, said that thanks to employees of Bath Iron Works, who are sustained givers, as well as the company’s corporate gift, the campaign is well on its way, already having raised $208,751. Schools are helping too and, already, School Administrative District 75 has contributed $11,000 and Regional School Unit 1 has raised more than $8,000 — with more to be announced. United Way’s board, cabinet and staff members collectively donated $65,426 to the campaign and other “pacesetter” corporate gifts takes the campaign to $463,453 or 24 percent of its goal.

George Reichert, United Way board chairperson, said the organization brings local people together working on initiatives to address the root cause of problems, and create longterm solutions and prevention. Previously, United Way has tackled issues surrounding food security, winter preparedness and mental health.

For the last couple years, “we have focused our initiative work on the of modest goal of creating here in Mid- coast Maine the absolutely best childhood,” Reichert said. “We believe and the research shows that helping parents and young children got off to the very best start in life, is an effective way to have a positive impact in their life long education, health and financial stability.”

To that end United Way is working to educate people about the importance of early brain development and negative results from toxic stress in the home; advocacy for state policies and funding supporting home visiting, high quality child care and Head Start.

“And we have planned and are poised to start this fall a very exciting Head Start home visiting initiative,” Reichert said, “and we’re all pretty excited about that.”

Also important, he pointed then to the pyramid of diapers in the corner of the room. The average cost of diapers in a grocery store for a year is $ 1,241 per child, “so imagine young parents working at minimum wage or around it, how are they doing this? How are they getting enough diapers for their children?”

Without them, children can suffer from painful diaper rash, illness and infection, causing a lot of crying and undue stress on the baby and parents, Reichert said, which can effect the child’s long-term development.

As Reichert awaited the birth of his now threemonth year old granddaughter this spring, “ I spent a lot of time with my wife going through baby sections in stores,” which he hadn’t done in more than 25 years.

“ I think my mouth dropped open when I went by and saw the diapers,” he said, adding that the selection was great but the cost was something he could not believe.

The diaper drive, he said, is a wonderful idea given that expense, and it is an initiative people have been happy to support. There are many child-focused projects volunteers can be involved in such as the book drive for babies, Learning Trails, Can Art, food pantry shelves and the Community Read Aloud.

“The United Way donations help people in our community with the most basic needs of education, financial stability and health,” Darcy said. “We want to help our community members build a solid foundation, because we know with a solid foundation, you can build anything.”

After watching this year’s United Way video featuring local people benefiting from its programs, Darcy recalled the words of a woman named Diane, now retired, who has utilized the local food pantry as she cares for her disabled adult son, after years of donating to the organization.

“There’s a point in the video where Diane says that she feels like you can’t help. And then she says you can; you can help. We can help,” Darcy said, “ and we’re going to do everything we can to mobilize the citizens of our community to help as many people as we possibly can. So thank you all for your support.”

The donations improve the lives of 20,000 Mid-coast residents every year through United Way and its 37 partner agencies.

Donations from anyone not reached by a workplace campaign can be sent to United Way of Mid Coast Maine, 34 Wing Farm Parkway, Bath, Maine 04530. People can also call 443-9752 to give by credit card, ask to be billed, give monthly via credit card or bank debit, or contribute stocks or securities.

Financial contributions to the Diaper Project allow diapers to be purchased at the lowest cost, and can be made at www.uwmcm.org or to checks mailed to the above address indicating it’s for the Diaper Project.

For more information on United Way visit www.uwmcm.org.

dmoore@timesrecord.com