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From My Stuff® Bags Headquarters
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KTLA Television Anchor Michaela Pereira “Stuffs” 300,000th My Stuff Bag
for Children in Crisis
Westlake Village, Calif. – February 7, 2007
One special child in crisis will be the recipient of the 300,000th lovingly stuffed My Stuff Bag thanks to Michaela Pereira of KTLA-TV Channel 5 in Los Angeles. Michaela, who is an avid supporter of foster care children and those awaiting adoption, stuffed the bag on air with necessities, including a toothbrush, comb, blanket, toys, books and other items children need for comfort in an emergency situation.
The My Stuff Bags Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of abused, neglected and abandoned children who must be rescued and often enter shelters with nothing of their own. The organization provides these children with individual My Stuff duffel bags filled with comfort items and necessities.
“We were thrilled to have such a well known personality who crusades for children in need like Michaela stuff this very important bag,” said Janeen Holmes, president and executive director of My Stuff Bags Foundation. “So many people including volunteers and corporate donors, and of course Michaela, reinforce our message that is a part of each bag -- ‘Lots of people care about you.’” This message is imperative for children who are left with no one and nothing of their own due to unfortunate home situations.
My Stuff Bags Foundation serves children entering care in over 1000 organizations in 49 states. The organization has provided 300,000 bags all across the U.S. since the program began in 1998. 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. “In order to reach our goal of providing a My Stuff Bag to every child entering foster care in the country, we must have donations from companies that manufacture items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, toys, books, crayons and coloring books and even the bags themselves.”
Holmes said the cost of buying and shipping the full bags is staggering, so grants and monetary donations are essential to life of the organization. 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 on My Stuff Bags, to make a cash or item donation or to volunteer, contact the foundation at 866-3MY-STUFF or visit www.mystuffbags.org.
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