Well, we've gone an done it!
Our family has committed to our new endeavor.
Warm Welcomes Foster Care Outreach
Our plans for Warm Welcomes are big.
We want to be a non-profit, Christian, organization that promotes a feeling of welcome to children in foster care within our neighborhoods, churches, schools, and communities.
We also want to serve as a resource for local foster parents and foster care and adoptive agencies to help
meet the unique needs of the children they serve.
We will initially be serving agencies in the Warren, Butler, and Hamilton counties of Ohio.
We want to promote volunteerism and foster care and adoption awareness for as many children and their families as possible. This includes empowering youth in foster care to also be volunteers and to serve others.
We want to provide items of necessity, warmth, and especially, comfort.
We want to provide items that encourage healing and coping, such as letters of encouragement, art supplies, journals, mp3 players loaded with uplifting songs.
We believe that children should have adequate baggage to place the few belongings that they have
and are familiar with, in. Trash bags are not okay.
We believe that children in foster care should have books, Bibles, blankets, and toys to call their own.
We believe that creating personalized and handmade items for children in foster care can
be a sign of love and importance.
We believe it is best said in Luke 9:48
Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me
We know that we can't do it alone.
We need and want your help.
Below I have listed our Top 10 Ways You Can Help us get started.
Hopefully something matches your talents.
1) LIKE us on Facebook to get updates by clicking HERE.
We will post any get togethers we will have to pack the bags, make crafts,
donations needed, as well as, great successes that come along the way.
2)Tech support:
We could use help getting a blog or website started that people could easily access. Share what we are doing with others.
We also need people that are good with Photoshop, can make a Wordle,
and can help us with a logo.
3) Donate Supplies:
-Toiletries (shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant),
-New and very gently used books, coloring books, journals, and Bibles
-Diapers and pull ups of all sizes
-New and very gently used duffel bags, luggage, and backpacks (FYI, Ikea sells a large duffel for $3.75 if you have an Ikea friends and family discount card)
-Small (new) toys for children of all ages
(for example)
-MP3 players: These are going to be an awesome way to reach out to the older children
-Simple craft supplies: crayons, colored pencils, sketch books, stickers, small craft kids, etc
-New stuffed animals and pillows (handmade or purchased snuggle pillows, pillow pets, taggie toys, teddy bears, etc.) (FYI, Ikea also sells a cute heart pillow for $4.99)
My friend Beth, purchases fleece remnants, sews a square, fills with pillow filling, and cuts strips/fringe around the perimeter of the pillow for added cuteness and sensory aspect.
I purchased fleece blankets ($1.99 and $3.99) and small pillow forms (currently clearanced at $.99)
from Ikea due the the low price (and my inability to sew) for our family to make snuggle pillows
4) Be a Letter Writer
You and your child can write a letter of encouragement and welcome to a child in foster care.
Add a drawing if you like too!
Please do not put your last name.
5) Host a FUNdraiser
We can't keep this going without donations, supplies, and volunteers.
Consider holding a book drive, bake sale, lemonade stand, garage sale, diaper drive, sell a craft...
Rinse out a spaghetti jar and collect change in it.
I hope to create a label that can be attached to the jar that states "Changing lives one dime at a time!"
If you have kids, have them help. Help them help another kid. They'll love it, and we will too.
6) Savvy shoppers and coupon extraordinaires: help us all stretch our funds by finding the greatest deals on toiletries, fabric, etc
7) Solicitors and Business Owners:
Emailing, calling, visiting local business to seek discounts and donations to off set
the foster parent's cost for drop in daycare, birthday venues, adoption celebration items/venues,
party supplies, photography, scrapbook (online or craft) supplies
craft stores
8) Get Crafty
Can you make something with an initial or name on it? Luggage tag, embroider, ornament, wall hanging for their new bedroom....
Can you make snuggle pillows?
Knit, crochet, sew, paint, draw, computer design art??
Scrapbook?
Having something with your own special name or initial on it can be very powerful.
Let's make it happen. (I'm sure Pinterest could help.)
9) Leaders
We are passionate about Warm Welcomes and we hope to find a few more individuals that are too.
We would be happy to listen to your small or large ideas and give you room
to run with it.
10) Hands on Volunteers
Help us pack bags, organize supplies, etc.
This can be done by individuals, troops, families, etc.
Email me at ticketforthetrain@gmail.com with your interest, ideas, or questions.
If local, I can meet with you to pick up donations.
Thank you for all of your support.
