Indecent Proposal: Won't You Join Me in Humiliating Myself for Charity?

Long-time readers will no doubt remember a fateful day back in 2007 (wait, was it really 2007? the 2007 that was almost FIVE YEARS AGO?) when I asked for a certain number of comments on this post, and promised something ridiculous and embarrassing in return, and then the comments started ROLLING IN and... well, frankly, I never made good on that promise. I KNOW, OKAY? I'm sorry, I really am. I had EVERY GOOD INTENTION of following through, and then... you know, things happen, like LIFE, and now I can't even DO IT, AT ALL, because one of my important props has... uh, kind of... passed on. (SIGH. Poor Hambone.)

So now it has come to this, a place in my life where I am more than willing to make up for that failure to deliver (you don't have to believe me, but it continues to nag at my conscience) but this time I'm going to make you participate with me, for a good cause. I am officially starting an online, month-long diaper drive as part of my partnership with Huggies Every Little Bottom.

I have signed up to run a 5k race on October 29, exactly thirty days from today. Signed up, paid, even registered Asher to run the kids' fun run afterwards. Three miles, no big deal. HOWEVER. If I can raise $5,000 in the next month – all of which will go towards purchasing diapers for a local food pantry that meets the needs of women, children and families in the Northern Virginia area – then I will run that 5k race (HERE GOES, DEEEEP BREATH) in an adult-sized diaper. (Obviously there will be a ridiculous amount of photographic evidence as proof; I even have a friend signed up to run with me.) (She is not planning on wearing a diaper for any reason.)

What does that mean for you? Well if you want to SEE THIS, if you want this to ACTUALLY HAPPEN, if you want to see a receipt from Target for DEPENDS, then please consider donating the cost of a pack of (baby!) diapers to the cause.

ALL PROCEEDS, every last cent, will go towards diapers. ALL OF IT, you guys. All the money raised will be donated, even if the total amount doesn't reach $5,000 – but without that big $5,000 goal, I won't be putting on that diaper. I mean, IT'S A DIAPER, PEOPLE. Is there a lower level of humiliation than wearing a DIAPER IN PUBLIC? Besides RUNNING IN ONE? And possibly CHAFING IN IT AS WELL? But I am willing and happy to do this, if it means that I can help meet some of the needs of women and children in my community.

All I ask is that you donate whatever you feel is appropriate for this amount of entertainment-slash-charity. A good guideline here is that a small pack of diapers is generally in the neighborhood of $7, a box of diapers is about $18, and a GIANT, MEGAPACK JUMBOTRON box (or whatever it is they call it) is somewhere in the neighborhood of $35. Remember that all the money you donate is actually going to PURCHASE diapers – I'll likely just order the whole shebang from Amazon and have it delivered right to the food pantry when this is over. I know, $5,000 seems like a LOT of money, and it IS, but we are also talking about really needy people and a really embarrassing getup. This is important work and really humiliating attire.

Will you consider making a donation? And spreading the word so that we can reach this goal? All donations can be sent to my Paypal account: emilycassee@yahoo.com. I will be happy to keep you updated on progress.

You guys are awesome. Truly, you are, and your support for me and for this website has been such a joy the last six (almost seven!) years. YEARS. (OMG, YEARS!) And how do I thank you? I wear a diaper in public. What a weird weird relationship we all seem to have. (AND I LOVE IT.)

Disclosure: I have partnered with the Huggies® brand to help promote the Huggies® Every Little Bottom program. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes writing about it here. However, my opinions are entirely my own.

Comments

[Trilby]

I think it's so great that you are doing this. I didn't realize how many families in my own area are in need of diapers. Something so basic, and yet so expensive. Even the store brand diapers are ridiculous.

Thank you for drawing attention to Huggies Little Bottoms Campaign. You have inspired me to work with my church to help get diapers to families in our area that need help diapering their children.

Thank you.

[HereWeGoAJen]

I will send you money for this. I believe I participated in the comments for the wetsuit too though (though I am too lazy to check) so I will be coming after you this time if you don't follow through. ;)

[Anne]

I just donated the most random amount (happened to be in my paypal account already, which is frankly FREE MONEY), but I'll donate more later when I figure out what of my real money (read: bank account) I can afford to send. I'm dying to see the pics of this!

[Shayla]

Would LOVE to see this happen! Would you also wear a nude unitard so that it looks like all you have on is a diaper?!? You KNOW that would garner MUCH media attention! And it's all for the babies, right?! I will donate and round up friends as well! Posting on FB now!!

[A'Dell]

I am so glad and so happy I stumbled on your blog five years ago. The internet is amazing and I'm so proud to call you my friend.

XOXO

[Life of a Doctor's Wife]

This is a great cause and I hope you reach your goal!

I want to help - but I have no idea how to do PayPal. Can I... send you a check? (I know. I fail at Internetting.)

[Jessica]

Maybe you should wear a wetsuit for the beginning of the race, then peel it off to reveal the diaper.

(I think this is a wonderful thing and will definitely be donating!)

[Swistle]

Holy cow. Empathetically speaking, I almost don't WANT it to get up to $5000 now! I'll be hoping for...$4999.50.

[maggie]

You should put up some kind of tracker so as it gets closer we can scramble up the last little bit. I don't think you'll escape from this one!

[CJ]

As a long-time lurker who was VERY disappointed in 2007, I would love to donate! But... where's the link?

[Megan]

Hey, do you have a link so we can see how much has been donated so far?

Sign me,

~Disappointed in 2007

[MargieK]

CJ, there's a yellow "Donate" button on the upper right of Emily's blog. click that, and it will take you to a page where you can donate via credit card or PayPal! :)

I "shared" this post on Facebook, too!

[clearlyinpired]

good luck with your donations and have fun running in a diaper =)

[Laura Diniwilk]

Seconding the request for a counter to see how close you are to your goal. Good luck!

[Shannon]

Thank you so much for doing this, I think it's really great. I have become one of "those" moms that has trouble providing for her kids. Don't get me wrong, we're not walking around with flour sacks for clothes, but every week we struggle. Our state just recently adjusted the monthly income guidelines to be able to qualify for assistance. We make too much to be eligible, but after we pay all of our bills, we barely have enough for the necessities. It's a really horrible feeling when something like lotion for my children is a luxury item. We're just lucky our children don't have skin disorders where they can go a few days without lotion after their baths and it doesn't cause a problem. Every week we have to think of different ways we can stretch our dollar. It's incredibly stressful and makes it difficult to enjoy the little things sometimes. I never thought we'd be in this position, but we're doing our best to make the best of it. It's really hard sometimes. But seeing people like you who are so passionate about making it just a little bit easier for families like mine gives me hope. From me and all the other moms like me out there, Thank you!

[KimPossible]

Done! Great cause and really looking forward to seeing you run in the diaper :)
Definitely need a 'counter' and maybe a way to easily forward the info onto FB so I can let friends know about this worthwhile cause!