Missions & Endeavors

Suitcases for Foster Children

• Inspirational
• Selfless
• Sweet

Children in the foster care system usually go from one home to another and all of their worldy possessions are encompassed in a black plastic trash bag.  Not only do they not have a proper bag or suitcase to put their things in but the impression that these children have about themselves is that they are just as disposable as trash.  We want to alleviate that problem not only in our community but as a Nationwide movement.

We, as foster parents for the past 6 years, have seen this time and time again.  We fostered teen girls for 4 of those 6 years and out of the 13 girls we had, every single one came to us with at least one garbage bag if not 3 or 4 full of their belongings! We adopted our son in July of 2011 and we cannot imagine him having to pack his little clothes and toys into a garbage bag or grocery bags.  It breaks our hearts to know that other children have to do the same.

There are over 400,000 children in foster care in the United States, so even though our goal is a seemingly small one, we hope to be able to provide at least one duffel bag or suitcase to each of these children starting in our community in Stark County, Ohio.  Eventually we hope to be able to spread out from our vicinity with the success of this endeavor. 

If we go over our project goal that will allow us to branch out from our community into surrounding counties and states.  It may seem like a small project with such a simple item we all take for granted, but in the eyes of a child who has so little, having their own suitcase or bag can be the world to them.  It is something that they can keep of their own and can move with them from placement to placement if that would unfortunately happen.  We also would like to include fleece blankets and personal care items if funds enable us to do so.

Thank you so much for your donation and please know that the funds raised will make a difference in so many childrens lives!!