[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1000px” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”vert-align” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/nursesfornewborns.org\/missouri\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/04\/np_diaper_1658427_5B5B5B.png” alt=”baby diaper” title_text=”diaper-icon” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”60px” custom_margin=”||5px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_orientation_tablet=”center” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Honoring a father’s legacy by caring for others<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io\/give\/nurses-for-newborns\/memorialdiaperfund” button_text=”DONATE in Tony’s Memory” button_alignment=”left” button_alignment_tablet=”center” button_alignment_phone=”center” button_alignment_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” button_bg_color=”#304896″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover=”#304896″ button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/nursesfornewborns.org\/missouri\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/04\/Tony-Accardi-Picture.jpg” alt=”Tony Accardi Picture” title_text=”Tony Accardi Picture” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”500px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||5px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1000px” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
In 2019, Jay’s son, and Dena’s bonus son, Tony, passed away suddenly at just 24.<\/span><\/p>\n Tony grew up on The Hill in St. Louis, where family, faith, and community shaped the person he became. He attended Sacred Heart Villa Preschool, graduated from St. Ambrose School in 2008, and later graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n He was enormously proud of his Italian heritage and was fortunate to know his great-grandparents, hearing firsthand their stories of immigrating to America through Ellis Island.<\/span><\/p>\n A true foodie, Tony loved to cook and enjoyed working in the restaurant industry. Being Sicilian, sharing great food with the people he loved was simply part of who he was.<\/span><\/p>\n Tony never knew that his fianc\u00e9e was expecting their daughter, Giovanna.<\/span><\/p>\n In his final act of selflessness, Tony became an organ donor, saving the lives of two local fathers. Though marked by profound loss, his story continues to be one of generosity, love, and lasting impact.<\/span><\/p>\n Gia\u2019s Arrival and a Grandparent\u2019s Mission since the day Gia (now 7) was born, Jay and Dena have helped raise her and experienced first hand how costly baby essentials can be. Motivated by their experience and a desire to do something meaningful in Tony\u2019s name, they began organizing diaper drives through Church, their workplaces, family and friends.<\/p>\n Today, they host three diaper drives each year\u2014in January, May, and September. These months are especially meaningful to their family<\/strong>, making each drive a powerful way to honor Tony’s memory while helping babies and families in need.<\/p>\n To ensure Tony\u2019s story continues to make a difference, Jay and Dena partnered with Nurses for Newborns to establish The Tony Accardi Memorial Diaper Fund. Their efforts have already made a profound difference:<\/p>\n That\u2019s enough to provide a full year\u2019s worth of diapers for 130 babies!<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1000px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n With your help, this fund will continue to provide essential supplies to families in need \u2014 honoring Tony\u2019s life by helping parents and babies thrive.<\/p>\n It is Jay and Dena\u2019s hope, that one day Gia will proudly carry on this mission in memory of her Pops.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io\/give\/nurses-for-newborns\/memorialdiaperfund” button_text=”DONATE in Tony’s Memory” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” button_bg_color=”#304896″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover=”#304896″ button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” button_bg_color__hover=”” button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/nursesfornewborns.org\/missouri\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/AccardiDiaperDrive_110521.jpg” alt=”Accardi Family” title_text=”AccardiDiaperDrive_110521″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||5px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Jay, Gia and Dena Accardi at their first diaper drive drop off \u2013 November 2021<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1000px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Providing diapers is more than meeting a basic need \u2014 it\u2019s essential for a baby\u2019s health, comfort, and development.<\/strong> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/nursesfornewborns.org\/missouri\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/04\/children-with-diapers.jpg” alt=”children with diapers” title_text=”Screenshot” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”850px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Hygiene & Health<\/strong> Emotional & Physical Well-being<\/strong> Healthy Development<\/strong> Impact on Families<\/strong> Diaper Need in the U.S.<\/strong> Consequences of Diaper Need<\/strong> Missed childcare<\/strong> Increased parental stress [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n When you donate to the Tony Accardi Memorial Diaper Fund, you’re not just giving diapers \u2014 you\u2019re giving relief, dignity, and a healthier start for babies and their families.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io\/give\/nurses-for-newborns\/memorialdiaperfund” button_text=”DONATE in Tony’s Memory” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” button_bg_color=”#304896″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover=”#304896″ button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” button_bg_color__hover=”” button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Tony Accardi Memorial Diaper Fund Honoring a father’s legacy by caring for othersTony\u2019s Story: A Legacy of Love and Generosity In 2019, Jay’s son, and Dena’s bonus son, Tony, passed away suddenly at just 24. Tony grew up on The Hill in St. Louis, where family, faith, and community shaped the person he became. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2711,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2710","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Inspiration Behind the Fund:<\/h2>\n
The Impact So Far: A Legacy of Support for Families<\/h2>\n
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*typically a baby goes through at least 100 a month and 1200 diapers annually<\/em><\/p>\nJoin Us in Honoring Tony: You Can Help Carry His Legacy Forward<\/h2>\n
Diaper Facts: Why Your Support Matters<\/h2>\n
When families don\u2019t have access to enough diapers, it can lead to health issues, emotional stress, and broader challenges for both the child and caregiver.<\/p>\n
Clean, dry diapers help prevent diaper rash, skin infections, and other medical issues.
Babies left in soiled diapers too long are at risk for urinary tract infections and severe discomfort.<\/p>\n
Being dry and comfortable supports a baby\u2019s sense of security and emotional regulation. Extended exposure to wet diapers increases crying and distress in infants.<\/p>\n
Lack of clean diapers can affect a child\u2019s ability to attend daycare, limiting early learning and social development opportunities. Persistent discomfort can negatively affect sleep, feeding, and growth patterns.<\/p>\n
Diapers can cost $80\u2013$100 per month per child, creating a serious financial strain for low-income families. Parents facing diaper need may feel shame, anxiety, or depression \u2014 especially mothers navigating postpartum challenges.<\/p>\n
1 in 2 families in the U.S. struggle with diaper need \u2014 the inability to afford enough diapers to keep their babies clean, dry, and healthy.<\/p>\n
More doctor visits: Increased rates of infections and rashes can lead to higher pediatric care usage.<\/p>\n
Most daycares require parents to provide a daily supply of diapers.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>\u00a0The emotional toll of diaper need is linked to maternal depression and overall family stress.<\/p>\nYour Gift Helps Close the Gap<\/h2>\n