Simply Ask. Helping Foster Kids. May 2021

To Mr. Ken Brown and the Hope Project, THANK YOU. I have yet to meet you...but you are ANGELS

A couple of weeks ago, I made a FB Community request asking for two bikes for two foster kids. I received a few private messages wanting to donate if nothing panned out. I decided to give it one more day and let the suggestions keep rolling in because I was getting some good ‘leads’.

When I showed up for work the next day, I mentioned to a client that I was looking for some bikes when she says she tells me about The Hope Project and to simply ASK. She then asked if they needed helmets, summer clothes, toys, undies..she just kept asking...What else did they need???

This started a cascade of communication with foster parents over sizes, needs and must haves.

Erin, Nat and I went shopping for 7 foster kids total (2 girls, 5 boys- ages 3-9 yrs old) spending nearly $2000 and set these kids up!

When I delivered the goods to the 3 youngest boys, they were so excited to try on new clothes and shoes, we had a fashion show right there in the living room. I was in charge of cutting off tags while foster Mom labeled the clothes. It’s one of the cutest things in the world watching a kid wait for you to cut the tag off his new shirt and shoes so he can try on an ‘outfit’. My heart is so full

Giving children their basic needs in the most fun way possible is the elixir of life for me. It keeps me feeling young and inspired. Ask and it is given.

A HUGE thank you to Erin Pelayo and Natanya von Engel for helping me shop and just being who you are. I was swimming in kids sizes and getting overwhelmed very quickly but you ladies kicked into Mom mode and shopped like these were your BABIES. The feedback from the foster family is massive gratitude. The simple stuff we picked up for these littles have already been put to good use .

If you have read this far into my post, I really appreciate it. This is also a great time to plug volunteer work and CASA (court appointed special advocate). If you ever have questions about either, I can definitely point you in the right direction or answer any questions you might have.

Volunteering in your community is a great way to see the world outside of yourself and your immediate family. There is something so rewarding about helping a stranger achieve a basic human need.

The world has become selfish.

Every ‘man’ for himself, take care of your own and look down.

PLEASE LOOK UP

Please help someone that could never repay you. You don’t need to invest hours and hours of your time. Whether it’s becoming a CASA to advocate for youth in foster care or something as simple as serving lunch at the local homeless shelter, I’ve done both.

They all matter. You matter. People matter. Please do something for a stranger and pay it forward

Ashley Winter