Summerville, South Carolina — One local charity organization is asking the community to contribute to their annual toy drive at Charleston Southern University, which benefits foster care families and children in need.
“It will always be difficult for that child. You might believe that because they’re 21 and grown up, they don’t care or don’t feel it, but we do. Brianna Blitch, a former foster care child, said, “We always feel it on holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving.”
The Closet of Hope assists local foster care families and children in need by offering anything from new toothbrushes to backpacks full of fresh clothes and toys.
“These youngsters did not choose to be in foster care. They did not ask to be removed from their house. So, if you have someone who is willing to open their doors to everything that is the foster care system, why not assist them?” Alyssa Blitch, Chief Operating Officer of Closet of Hope, stated.
“I was dealing with five children ranging in age from baby to teen. And how am I going to celebrate Christmas? So, how can I afford this? So we decided to give back as much as we could to an organization that helps us,” foster parent and Closet of Hope volunteer Stacey Langevin explained.
The foundation members believe it is critical to provide gifts to people of all ages, particularly teenagers, to remind them that they are loved despite any obstacles they may face.
“It feels fantastic to be able to give back. I never imagined that I would be in this position. “Honestly, if I hadn’t been adopted, I’m not sure where I’d be today,” Blitch remarked.
“If you have something in your closet that you haven’t worn in ages, give it away. You are not going to wear it. You know, somebody else will. “Someone else needs it.”
Foster parents claim it is not a lack of love, but rather the financial burden of caring for foster children.
“I received many placements just weeks before Christmas. As a family, you have to admit that wasn’t in the budget, but you still want it to be so wonderful. “You don’t want them to feel left out,” said Shelly Pendergrass, a foster adoptive mother and organization board member.
According to the group, providing assistance to these children and families has the potential to transform their lives.
“I’m aware that several of my children were raised in unloving environments. They did not take good care of them. Langevin explained that they are still traumatized as a result of that.
“I feel like people constantly criticize a kid before they get to know him because he appears to be a horrible kid. But, in reality, that child has just experienced some of the most traumatic events of her life while still a child. That’s why it’s crucial,” Blitch explained.
Members speak from experience, stating that your donations can assist ensure that no child is forgotten.
“Being able to have some support from the Closet of Hope and feeling that love, it makes that pain go away just a little bit more,” Blitch told me.
Sign up here to sponsor a kid or give gifts to one of the drop-off locations in your town for this year’s toy drive, which takes place on December 13.
Drop off locations:
- Schirmer Insurance Group, 1312 Bowman Road, Mount Pleasant
- Vanity Salon, 1903 North Highway 17, Suite 100, Mount Pleasant
- The Foot Store, 1909 North Highway 17, Mount Pleasant
- Fit Body Boot Camp, III3 Market Center Boulevard, Mount Pleasant
- Bakies at l’On, 264 Shelmore Boulevard, Mount Pleasant
- The Reserve Tavern & Market, 665 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, Mount Pleasant
Donations can be made to these locations by Dec. 10.
