On this Give to Lincoln Day I ask you to donate to Foster Care Closet. Here's why.
We got into foster care closet two years ago originally as a way to expand our family. Over time our involvement in foster care evolved as we saw just how screwed up the system can be. In addition to being advocates for ourselves and our family, The Missus and I are now active advocates for the children in the system, as well as for other foster parents. We can't help but be.
Among the most important things these children and families need is normalcy. Disruptions in family life are inherent when children are placed into foster care. Indeed they are deliberate. And they are damaging to all of the participants.
Foster Care Closet helps bring normalcy and permanency into the lives of foster children by providing them with clothing -- much of it brand new with the tags still on -- immediately upon their placement with a foster family and periodically thereafter. The clothing is theirs, something they are in control of during a time when they have control over very little. It is high quality, not mere hand-me-downs, so the kids don't have to feel as though they stand out any more than their unfortunate situation already causes them to.
Foster Care Closet is a blessing to foster families. When a child arrives at a foster home, they often come with nothing, or at least nothing of adequate quality. Foster families must immediately provide clothes and related supplies despite the fact that no up-front funding is provided for the cause. That's right: that first trip to Walmart to buy supplies is completely out-of-pocket for the foster family. Foster Care Closet provides relief by giving quick access to a wealth of clothing and other supplies.
Your gift of $35 to Foster Care Closet provides five complete outfits for one child, much of it new with its original packaging or tags. In addition, Foster Care Closet can provide a starter supply of diapers, strollers, car seats, and other non-clothing items. They do all this for $35 per child through off-season and volume purchasing, donations, and so on. The same amount of clothing purchased at retail would generally cost well over $100, and the non-clothing supplies add even more to the bill. It's the best $35 you will spend this month. You can, of course, donate however much you like, whether $5 or $500.
I should put my money where my mouth is. I have already donated $35. I will donate an additional $35 for every Lincolnite reader who donates to Foster Care Closet, up to $350. Just post here that you donated (you don't have to say how much).
Thank you for your help, and thank you for participating in Give to Lincoln Day whether or not you give to Foster Care Closet.
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I had to take part in this day, and I chose Foster Care Closet thanks to Mr. Wilson. Nice work, young man!
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