MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee Bucks world champion and his life partner are raising awareness of the need for diapers in Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger took time Monday at Milwaukee Diaper Mission to raise awareness for National Diaper Need Awareness Week. It runs from Sept. 18 to 24.
Riddlesprigger is a member of the organization’s board of directors.
“Being able to empathize with other moms and what they are going through, see how much of a struggle it is a knowing that other moms have to decide between food and diapers — I just can’t imagine. I’m so blessed that I’m not in that situation and I just want to help as many moms and as many families in general.”
According to the National Diaper Bank Network, nearly half of the families who live in the United States face diaper needs.
Riddlesprigger said, in the past three years, the Milwaukee Diaper Mission has donated 1.2 million diapers to local social service agencies. She said she wants to do more and make a difference.
“There’s no way I can help the whole world, but you can start somewhere," she said. "I think this is where we start and we continue to build and help as many people as we possibly can. So for me, it is so humbling and it means so much that I’m in the position I am, to try and help as many people as I can."
Her life partner has joined her charge. Giannis said he wants to be part of the solution because there are a lot of families who need help right now.
“My family was one of them. Back in the day, she would ask the neighbors, go to the church, go to the organization in the community, where we’d ask for help. It was hard and growing up; I understand the sacrifice that people have to make in order for them to raise their kids,” said Giannis.
Danielle Terrell attended the event. She’s a Milwaukee mother of 14. Three of her kids are in diapers.
“If I didn’t have the diaper mission I would probably have to cut back on gas. We would probably have to re-budget some bills, you know; everything is high,” said Terrell.
Giannis said he hopes he can help more families like Terrell’s as they work through tough economic times.
“As a father it’s very important — not just as a father, as a human being — it’s very important [to] just know there are fathers out there that cannot provide for their kids. And as a father, [I] cannot put myself in the position to imagine that because I grew up seeing my father always doing whatever it took to provide, but he couldn’t, you know, and I know there are a lot of fathers out there that they have to go through this and it’s hard,” he said.
It's a humility that grounds the NBA champ’s family as he and his partner strive to give back as much as they’ve been given.