Old Saybrook Building Inspector Tom Makowicki organized the annual police department diaper drive this February, collecting so many diapers that a van had to be borrowed from the Water Pollution Control Authority to transport them to the police department, from where they’ll be distributed to those in need.

“People really got behind it,” said Makowicki. “Especially the contractors and the people in Town Hall. They donated a lot.

“One of the contractors brought five boxes, others brought two and three boxes,” he said. “One of the businesses that I’ve been dealing with sent four giant boxes from Amazon. Even my daughter, who I bought diapers for, brought diapers.”

The diapers will be distributed to around 50 families in Old Saybrook and along the shoreline, according to Makowicki.

A motivating factor, he believes, was the fact that the diapers will be delivered directly to those who need them. The drive got started late this year, but “contractors are used to dealing with short deadlines,” he said.

“Anyone that has children can understand. It kind of tugs at your heart a little bit,” he said. “Next year I want to get even more.”