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Giannis and Mariah reveal they're engaged and expecting a daughter while raising awareness for National Diaper Need Awareness Week

Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is soon going to be a #girldad. And, he and his longtime partner Mariah Riddlesprigger are engaged.

The couple revealed the exciting news Monday at a Milwaukee Diaper Mission news conference raising awareness for National Diaper Need Awareness Week, which runs Sept. 18-24.

Milwaukee Diaper Mission is near and dear to the couple. It hits home for Antetokounmpo and how he grew up. Riddlesprigger has passionately thrown herself into supporting the organization.

"One in two families in the United States struggle to afford enough diapers to keep their baby clean, dry and healthy," Meagan Johnson, who co-founded the organization, said at the news conference. "As Milwaukee's only basic needs bank, Milwaukee Diaper Mission is a vital resource for our community, supporting thousands of families each month with the basic essentials they need and deserve."

The organization distributes diapers to several local social service agencies that then give the supplies to their clients. The diaper mission has distributed more than 1 million diapers into the community since its inception in 2020.

Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and his longtime partner, Mariah Riddlesprigger, promote the Milwaukee Diaper Mission on Monday.
Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and his longtime partner, Mariah Riddlesprigger, promote the Milwaukee Diaper Mission on Monday.

How Riddlesprigger, Antetokounmpo got involved with Milwaukee Diaper Mission

When Antetokounmpo and Riddlesprigger welcomed their second son in 2021, they quickly realized how expensive it is to have two kids in diapers.

That year, to celebrate the birth of Maverick, and help Milwaukee-area families in need, they put on Maverick's Diaper Mission, a diaper drive in collaboration with the Milwaukee Diaper Mission.

Meagan Johnson, executive director of Milwaukee Diaper Mission, poses for a portrait July 13, 2022, located at 9600 S. Franklin Drive, Franklin. Milwaukee Diaper Mission partners with local social service agencies to distribute disposable and reusable diaper and period supplies to families in need. Milwaukee Diaper Mission is a nonprofit organization.

Since then, the event has become an annual diaper and fund drive called The BIG Give Back.

"There's no way I can help the whole world, but you can start somewhere," Riddlesprigger said at the news conference. "I think this is where we start and we continue to build and help as many people as we possibly can."

"There's a lot of families out there that are in need over diapers," Antetokounmpo said. "My family was one of them."

Back in the day, Antetokounmpo said, his mom needed to ask for help from neighbors, the church, organizations and the community.

"It was hard," he said. "Growing up, I didn't understand all the sacrifices people have to make in order for them to raise their kids."

Little did Antetokounmpo's mom know, he would "soon to be married to this beautiful woman next to me," and together, they would be helping those in need alongside the Milwaukee Diaper Mission.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger at the Milwaukee Diaper Mission's previous facility in 2021.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger at the Milwaukee Diaper Mission's previous facility in 2021.

Antetokounmpo, Riddlesprigger and their sons very excited to welcome baby girl

Riddlesprigger said she's feeling "very pregnant," but good and hopes the baby comes "very soon."

"It's amazing," she said. "I'm very excited."

She said Antetokounmpo is doing a "great job" getting her ice cream and whatever else. Antetokounmpo joked that he feels "like a butler."

"This is exciting," Antetokounmpo said. "We want to have a big family. I know my two boys are going to be extremely excited to meet their little sister and protect her and spend time with her and play with her and grow up with her."

How to support MDM's National Diaper Need Awareness Week campaign

To contribute to MDM's National Diaper Need Awareness Week campaign, people can make a monetary donation at milwaukeediapermission.networkforgood.com/projects/195255-2023-diaper-need-awareness-week.

People can also create a peer-to-peer fundraising page, and rally their friends, family and networks to support the campaign, according to the organization's website.

People can also host a diaper drive, the site says. Here's more info on how to do that.

"No family should have to chose between food and diapers," Johnson said. "Together, we can end diaper need in Milwaukee."

If you're in need of diapers

If you're in need of diapers, visit milwaukeediapermission.org/our-partners.

"The Milwaukee Diaper Mission is here to help," Antetokounmpo said. "Don't be afraid to ask for help."

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Mariah on baby girl, engagement, diaper need