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My Stuff Bags Foundation Receives Sketch Foundation Grant
Both Organizations Have a Commitment to the Well Being of Children of all Ages
Westlake Village, Calif. – March 15, 2007
My Stuff Bags Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides duffel bags filled with new belongings to abused, neglected and abandoned children who often enter crisis shelters with nothing of their own, has received a $19,860 grant from the Sketch Foundation for its “My Stuff Bags for Los Angeles Children Project.” The Sketch Foundation supports Southern California nonprofit organizations that focus on improving the quality of children’s lives and increasing their self-esteem. More than 11,000 children must be rescued from abuse each year in Los Angeles; they often have no possessions.
The grant allowed the My Stuff Bags Foundation to cover monetary costs of nearly $10 each for 2000 My Stuff Bags for children in Los Angeles. Volunteers stuff the bags with new children’s items donated by supporters all across America. The My Stuff Bags Foundation seeks additional funding so that all children entering care with no belongings can benefit from receiving bags.
My Stuff Bags was launched in 1998 to address some of the immediate physical and emotional needs of children suffering from abuse and neglect. So far, the nonprofit has donated 300,000 bags to children from newborn to 18 years of age. The bags contain essentials like toothbrushes and toothpaste, hairbrushes, toys, stuffed animals, books, games, school supplies, and one of the most comforting and important items, a cuddly blanket, often made by volunteers.
“We are so grateful to the Sketch Foundation for this important grant which allows us to help 2000 rescued children in Los Angeles,” says Janeen Holmes, president and executive director. “Imagine going from a dangerous home environment to a police car or social worker’s vehicle with only the clothes on your back. Thanks to the Sketch Foundation, we are able to distribute My Stuff Bags filled with necessities and a message of hope for children in crisis situations. Now children have something that says, ‘We care about you.”
So far, the following Los Angeles organizations have received bags through the “My Stuff Bags for Los Angeles Children Project” for children in crisis coming into their care this year: Bienvenidos Village for Children; CASA of Los Angeles; Hannah’s Children’s Homes; Children’s Hospital Rest Assured; Violence intervention Program; Nuevo Amanecer Latino Children’s Services; and United Care, Inc.
“CASA of Los Angeles has been a recipient of My Stuff Bags for some time,” said Bryan Borys, executive director. “The children come to court after being removed from their homes and their parents with nothing of their own. A My Stuff Bag gives kids security and a feeling that someone really does care about them in this terrible situation.”
My Stuff Bags Foundation serves children entering care in more than 1000 organizations in 49 states. According to Holmes, it is the foundation’s way of wrapping its arms around these unfortunate children. A national grass roots effort, the program is supported by thousands of individuals, schools, churches and synagogues, children’s groups, as well as foundations and corporations. “We have both adults and kids volunteering every day to make blankets, sort items and stuff bags,” says Holmes. “What we need just as much, however, is money to purchase the duffels and ship filled bags, and that’s where the Sketch Foundation came in so that we can serve even more kids in need.”
She adds, “You should see the look on a child’s face when they receive a My Stuff Bag. The tears and sadness are replaced by big smiles. Even if it is just for a little while, we know that we make an impact on a desperately lonely child.”
For more information, to make a cash or item or other donation or to volunteer, contact My Stuff Bags Foundation at 866-3MY-STUFF or visit www.mystuffbags.org. The Sketch Foundation can be reached at
www.sketchfoundation.org.
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