…because foster kids still need our help!
Last year, our amazing community came together to stuff nearly 4,000 duffel bags for kids transitioning in to new foster homes. This year, due to COVID-19, we have changed our Stuff the Duffel event to a virtual event this year. The kids need us more than ever! Please consider supporting our cause.
WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW:
Our needs will change throughout this event. Please check back here for a list of current needs. Email us to arrange drop-off of the first 2 listed items.
- Toilet paper (for emergency group homes)
- Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, masks (we need your help keeping the staff at the group homes safe while they take on extra shifts to protect the kids)
- List of items requested by multiple group homes. Please help us provide them with their special requests for this shelter-in-place and also this summer. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/21CJI3XSRYOEO/ref=cm_wl_huc_view
Thank you to our sponsors!
What’s New:
I don't know if it is because Stuff the Duffel looks so different this year or if it's just because I have had a lot of time at home to think but I have been reflecting on everything we've been doing over this past year. I wanted to share some of my favorite memories with you. One that I will NEVER forget is one of our very first deliveries as Second Bridge. Stuff the Duffel 2019 was still going on and I got a call about a new foster placement who didn't have any socks or underwear and his shoes didn't fit. Of course that wasn't all we wanted to do for this little boy so we delivered socks, underwear, a toothbrush, pajamas, clothes and toys to him. I walked in with a bag of toys and a bag of necessities. He instantly started opening the bag of clothes and other necessities. I remember being a little hesitant because I thought he'd be disappointed with what he was opening. The first thing he pulled out was a pack of underwear. He excitedly exclaimed, "undies" and then continued to check out what else was in there. He pulled out the socks next and immediately started jumping up and down. Then proceeded to count 1-2-3-4-5-6 pairs. He told me he didn't have any socks and now he has 6 pairs. Right then, I probably could have given him nothing else and he would have been thrilled. As I held back tears, I knew right then and there, THIS is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing and that THIS community can do so much good.
Thank you for your continued support Second Bridge! We need your support this month during our Stuff the Duffel event! Please text DUFFEL to 71777.
(This is NOT a picture of the actual little boy.)
1 week down! WooHoo! Over $4,000 raised for foster kids. Keep it up and please keep sharing our message!
Thank you A to Z Chiropractic for not only being a sponsor but for signing up to be a fundraising team!!
#ittakesavillage #ILoveOurVillageHappy Monday! As a Sponsor for Stuff The Duffel, we have decided to make our own team to help raise money and awareness for this amazing cause!
Last year they were able to “stuff” over 4,000 duffel bags for kids that were being placed in new foster homes. This year they are hoping to raise additional funds to help foster families with the costs of therapies, activities, and camps for the kids! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they had to change their entire game plan this year to be a virtual fundraiser.
Help A to Z reach our goal of $2,000, which contributes to the $25,000 goal for this year’s event!
TO DONATE : Text “Duffel7” to 71777
Or you can go to our office fundraising page : app.mobilecause.com/vf/DUFFEL/team/AtoZChiropractic
THANK YOU!
What have we been up to since last year’s Stuff the Duffel?
After we delivered over 4,000 care bags to a number of agencies, we kept going in our efforts to support the kids. We have helped 140+ individual foster kids with new placements and ongoing needs. We also supported over 20 families for Christmas with the help of another organization. We granted 7 birthday wishes and provided over 60 kids with Halloween costumes. We have also supported 5 group homes including one transitional living program designed to support kids who have aged of foster care. We have supplied bedding, towels, activities and other supplies. We provided school supplies and back to school clothes and shoes to 29 kids and continue to support 9 amazing young individuals who are currently away at college by providing them with monthly care packages.
Who will be impacted by Stuff the Duffel donations?
Although we will not be stuffing duffels this year, we will still be able to help a large number of kids who need our support. We will be supporting the kids in the group homes with both the immediate needs due to COVID-19 as well as purchasing wish list items for Spring and Summer. We will also continue to provide anything needed for kids being transitioned into new foster homes. We will provide beds, baby gear, clothing, shoes, school supplies, toys or anything else they need. The kids need our help more than ever!