More than 200 children in the foster care system could receive their own bags to carry their belongings as they transition to new homes, after a new local drive kicked off Saturday morning.
The Pack with Love & Hope Drive for Foster Futures event started at 11 a.m. at Nail Behavior, a salon on Shartom Drive, encouraging donors to drop off suitcases, backpacks and duffel bags, some packed with essential goods such as clothes, blankets and toiletries.
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The drive had a D.J., free food and presentations to launch what organizer Charon Perkins Bartley aims to be an annual event. Many children, she notes, must carry their possessions in trash bags.
“A lot of times the bags rip, or they get lost or thrown about, and it doesn’t protect some of their belongings like photos and photo frames, trinkets or mementos that they have from their families,” said Bartley. “I just figured this was a more dignified and safer way to carry their belongings.”
The drop-off collected some 245 bags and luggage, well over its goal. After examining the bags, the charity plans to turn them over to the Department of Children and Family Services to be further screened and then distributed to foster children.
Bartley, a travel consultant and proprietor of the ChicChatter Travel agency, was inspired partly by her profession, as someone who frequently traveling, as well as her mother, Elease Perkins, who has been a foster parent for some 30 years.
ChicChatter presented Perkins with a plaque to honor her years of service to children and families.
Perkins began fostering children in the 90’s, after her retirement, encouraged by a neighbor who worked in social services.
“To me it was a nourishment of life and good health, mentally and physically,” said Perkins about her experience caring for foster children. “And I love doing it.”
Those interested in contributing bags or monetary donations to Pack with Love & Hope may contact Bartley on her business phone at 706-250-1459.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
