Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS)
and Northside Hospital are collecting backpacks and kid-sized suitcases for
foster children in Georgia as part of the 13th annual totes 2 tots suitcase drive. Approximately 8,500 children,
from infants to teenagers, are currently in the foster care system in
Georgia. Many of these children shuffle
their belongings in garbage bags when they are removed from their homes. Since totes
2 tots was first launched in 2003, the annual volunteer event has collected
and distributed more than 37,000 bags.
totes 2 tots
was originally held on Martin Luther King Day as a way to honor Dr. King’s
vision of philanthropy and give back to the community. The event is now held on the preceding Friday,
to kick-off a weekend of service in Dr. King’s honor. Donations of new or nearly
new backpacks and suitcases will be accepted at 27 GCS offices across Georgia –
including 19 in Metro Atlanta – on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
GCS partners with the Georgia
Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) to distribute the bags in the
counties in which they’re collected. Bobby Cagle, interim director of DFCS, praised those who support the
program, which helps to bring a measure of comfort and respect to Georgia's
foster children. "There are some children
in our state who, unfortunately, have few constants in their lives," said
Cagle. "The totes 2 tots program, by providing a piece of luggage to those
children whose lives have been upended, offers a sense of stability in a time
of uncertainty."
For
the 10th year, totes 2 tots
is receiving media support from WSB-TV’s Family 2 Family Project. Family 2 Family is the longest-running
locally produced, comprehensive, station-wide public service effort in
Georgia. Transportation services are
being provided by Courier Express.
