Adventure Bags: Imagine it is 2 o’clock in the morning and you are sound asleep; before you know it you are asked to come with someone you don't know, in your pajamas, and all you can grab is the closest favorite thing you can get your hands on, because your mom or dad is being arrested for something that you know is bad. What would you take with you if you were given the opportunity, your clothes
, your toothbrush, toothpaste or your favorite stuffed animal? Every day in the state of Georgia, children are being placed in foster care for things that they cannot control. They are removed from an environment that they have always known, but they often think about what it would be like if...”my daddy didn't drink”, “my mommy didn't hit me”, or “my mama’s "friend" didn't come in the night to my room”. Georgia children far too often are facing these situations and are required to go with what that they have on leaving all that is familiar to them behind; at least for the moment while some "case manager" comes to "protect me". Agencies across the state are faced with the difficult task of attempting to protect CHILDREN; however, often times they are armed with nothing to help these children feel at ease, at least for the moment. ANDVNTURE BAGS are a way for each child who has to go through this traumatic event to have something immediately of their own to keep with them and take with them wherever they go. Important items like: a teddy bear/stuffed animal, toothbrush/toothpaste, hair brush or comb, socks, or pajamas. Our mission is to help the Department of Family & Children Services, along with other agencies across Georgia to distribute ADVENTURE BAGS to children facing such uncertainty. With these bags it is our desire to begin an ongoing opportunity to help provide security and comfort to a child in crisis. One of the co-founders of this volunteer program had the task of picking up children as far away as California. In doing so they ONLY had the gift shops in the airport at their disposal to try and gather items for the children that they were bringing back to Georgia. This idea came as they had the opportunity to spend three days with a sibling group in an airport whose ages ranged from 3-13, two girls and one boy. They put together a bag for them as the children were dropped off at the airport with nothing but a trash bag of each of their belongings. If we have to take children out of difficult situations at the drop of a hat, we want to ensure that CHILDREN have “something” to call their own, as they never know when they will return to what they once called…HOME. Several have ask, "What can I do to help?" There are a few things that we are currently looking for volunteers for. Attached is a “Wish List” that with your donations we hope to put together for each child, just a little something to help them feel a little more at ease and a small sense of security. Along with donations, we are also seeking organizations/churches/individuals that are willing to organize and hold ‘Adventure Bag Stuffing’ events. If you would like to hold your own “Wish List-Drive” and contact us when the donations are ready to be picked up, that would be great!
