Editor’s Note: Today is the first installment of a content sharing arrangement with Silver Spring Cares, a local nonprofit founded to make connections between the community and charitable groups in the area. Periodically, the organization features local people taking actions to support local charities: Silver Spring Cares Superheros.
Who: Meredith Dedolph
Where: Her home, Mansfield Avenue, Silver Spring
For: Comfort Cases
What inspired you to host a party and tie a charitable cause into it?
We wanted to have a party with just adults and thought instead of everyone bringing a drink to share, that they bring something to contribute to Comfort Cases.
Why Comfort Cases?
Comfort Cases was introduced to me by a friend, Becca Wilson. She had been to a packing party and shared the organization with me. I went with my children and some of their friends to volunteer one afternoon this summer and were really impressed. We thought it was a great cause to get behind!
How did you organize/ask guests?
On the Evite, we shared the website and the cause and just asked for contributions—the response was great!
What did you collect?
We collected blankets, toiletries, school supplies, books, PJs, backpacks, and stuffed animals. Everything needs to be new. Since these items are for foster children and they so often are given used items, they really want to make the child feel special with brand-new items in their comfort case.
How easy was it to drop off the donated items?
My friend, Meg, and I dropped off all the donations this week. It was super easy and much appreciated!
Would you do it again?
I would absolutely do it again and look forward to volunteering more at the center!
About Comfort Cases
Comfort Cases was founded on a mission to provide comfort and support to children entering the foster care system. We believe that every child has the right to a more humane experience in foster care, and that starts by providing them with a case to pack their belongings in instead of a trash bag. Through the amazing support of the community, we have been able to expand our mission to include children that are facing crises.
Every child deserves to know that they matter. When Comfort Cases provides a case to a child in need, we not only offer them new items that they can keep during their journey, we also provide them with dignity and the notion that someone cares about what they are going through.
We are committed to engaging our community to learn about the issues facing children in foster care and to take action to alleviate the suffering of children in need. We also believe in the importance of engaging our youth to lead by example and encourage their peers to become involved with community support for kids in care. We provide volunteer opportunities for all ages so that the entire community can truly be involved together.
What’s a Comfort Case?
A Comfort Case is a small duffel bag or backpack that holds the essentials for the first few days in a new place as well as comfort items to help ease a scary transition. Its purpose is to provide comfort for children as they enter the foster care system. We want these children to know that their community cares about them and wants them to have something of their very own. In order to best confer a sense of dignity to foster children, we ask that all donated items are new.
To learn more, visit www.comfortcases.org.
Do you know a Silver Spring Superhero? Let us know! Email [email protected] today!