Our Heroes
Every so often, a person or organization really goes beyond the call of duty to help the My Stuff Bags Foundation and the children we serve. These individuals and organizations truly give of themselves to help make a difference in the lives of children rescued from abuse, neglect or abandonment.
While we are always grateful for every donation of funding or new children’s items, small or large, we’d like to highlight a few other recent contributors who have surprised us in amazing ways:
The Molina Foundation Book Buddies 2019 Program
This incredible donation was from The Molina Foundation as part of its Book Buddies 2019 Program to promote literacy. The goal of the program is to provide resources to help children and caregivers create word-filled environments through reading and learning together. Recently, the Group IV Rotarians stuffed 1,000 books into My Stuff Bags for teenagers! We sincerely thank the Molina Foundation for this incredible gift, and we can’t wait to help thousands of children find a passion for reading and learning!
-
- Longtime volunteers Bonnie and Susan sorting a pallet of books.
-
- One of the Group IV Rotarians stuffing a Star Wars book into a My Stuff Bag for a teen boy!
-
- Volunteers sorting another pallet of books.
-
- One of the 16 pallets we received from the Molina Foundation!
-
- More books being sorted!
-
- The delivery truck arriving to My Stuff Bags Foundation with 16 pallets of new children’s books.
-
- More pallets coming off of the delivery truck.
-
- Several more pallets filled with brand new books!
Merck Global/US Vaccines: Teaming for a Cause 2019
Congratulations to the Merck Global/US Vaccines employees for coming in first place at the 12th annual Teaming for a Cause charity event! They raised nearly $14,000 for the My Stuff Bags Foundation! This is the 2nd year that Merck has selected My Stuff Bags to be a charity partner for this event, and we are so grateful for the ongoing support.
After competitive games of softball, volleyball, dodgeball and even a watermelon eating contest, Merck Vaccines came out on top!
Thank you again for helping the My Stuff Bags Foundation continue providing comfort, hope, and love to thousands of lonely children.
We would like to acknowledge certain key employees who dedicated extra time and resources to make the Teaming for a Cause event successful and who truly rallied behind My Stuff Bags. Warm thanks to Joanne Monahan, SVP Merck Vaccines US Business Unit, Jennifer Grey, Assoc. Director Merck Vaccines Global Marketing, Katie Hafner, Assoc. Director Merck Vaccines US Marketing, Devlin Morrison, Director of Market Access for Hospital and Specialty Care, Phil Lowery, Assoc. Director of Retail Pharmacy Merck Vaccine US Contracting & Distribution Strategies, and John Markels, SVP Merck Global Vaccines. (NOT pictured: Kelly Donlon Hoy.)
Merck Global/US Vaccines employees sponsored 550 My Stuff Bags! One of the receiving agenices was NET Community CARE – CUA 7 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They received 100 Bags to distribute to the children in their care.
Merck Global/US Vaccines employees sponsored 550 My Stuff Bags! One of the receiving agenices was Turning Points for Children from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They received 100 Bags to distribute to the children in their care.
__________________________________________________________________________
We are extremel
y fortunate to share the news about our Hero, Jessica Hollins and her fabulous foundation, My Very Own Blanket. Starting My Very Own Blanket in 1999 out of her home, Jessica has helped grow and develop the organization in its 16 years to donate over 65,000 blankets to children in the foster care system in both Ohio and surrounding states! Since partnering with My Stuff Bags, My Very Own Blanket has graciously donated 700 handmade blankets to be included in our duffels filled with brand new belongings for children in crisis across the nation. These blankets will surely warm the heart of each child who receives them and give them something to smile about. Thank you Jessica, and all the wonderful blanket-makers for your heartfelt donation. We look forward to a very rewarding partnership with My Very Own Blanket.
Jamba Juice helps us with wonderful donations and amazing volunteer help during the holidays!
Super-Volunteer Bonnie helps with inventory and preparation each week!
Meredith Vieira raised awareness and secured a huge toy donation for our cause!
LA Times writer Garrett Therolf brings attention to domestic violence towards children, abuse, neglect and the child welfare system in Los Angeles!
Actress and role model Danica McKellar has supported us many times over the years with large donations, event appearances and great help!
Representatives from Blankets 4 Kids drive hundreds of miles each year to bring us more blankets than we can count!
The Happy Factory sends us fun wooden cars each month that go in nearly every My Stuff Bag!
National Charity League joins us once a month to volunteer and donate new items for My Stuff Bags!
