Information: mattressfirmfosterkids.org
Aimed at making a positive impact on the lives of thousands of foster youth in need, Mattress Firm launched its newest initiative, Mattress Firm Foster Kids, across the nation - including its 97 stores here in Atlanta - to serve the local organizations that serve foster children.
“There are more than 415,000 children in the U.S. foster care system, and while we know that not everyone can be a foster parent, anyone can help a foster child. That is why we created the Mattress Firm Foster Kids initiative,” said Clayson Panton, Mattress Firm district manager in Atlanta. “The program was created in response to requests for support from local foster care organizations, citing a need for essential items like shoes, clothing, pajamas and school supplies. Those are items that most of us don’t think twice about, but to foster families and kids, these items help make the transition into foster care a bit easier.”
In Atlanta, Mattress Firm stores are hosting a clothing and fundraising drive until June 26, which will support Bloom Our Youth and Foster Care Support Foundation.
Foster Care Support Foundation was founded to, “reach more children by providing a resource to support the fostering community all over Georgia,” said Rachel Ewald, founder and executive director of FCSF. “Having Mattress Firm Foster Kids sponsor this organization means that we may have the added financial ability to reach more of our foster and displaced children throughout the state.”
Since FCSF opened its doors in 2000, the nonprofit serves over 3,000 children annually and since then it has provided full seasonal wardrobes for over 45,000 children to help them heal from their trauma of abuse and neglect.
Similarly, the donations collected through the drive will also serve the kids Bloom Our Youth reaches out to. “Through this program, Bloom has the opportunity to receive donations of clothing and essentials that we will distribute to Georgia’s foster children through … The Bloom Closet, a clothing resource center for foster children,” said Becky Davenport, executive director, Bloom Our Youth.
To continue giving back, Mattress Firm will host additional donation drives to collect school supplies, shoes and toys for kids in foster care. Donate items or money throughout the year at Mattress Firm. All items and money collected will stay in the community where it was donated. At the end of each drive, the items will be distributed to the two local foster care nonprofit organizations.
“We hope we can help improve the lives of foster children, and we’re doing everything in our power to rally our teams and the communities that we serve to provide these children with everyday necessities,” added Panton.
In other news: Ally Winkler, a recent graduate from Alan C. Pope High School, raised $26,828 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's inaugural Students of the Year campaign. In 2016, 15 high school students in the Atlanta area participated in the campaign, a fundraising competition to fight against cancer. They raised $225,000.
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