NEWS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
COURT HOUSE, NORRISTOWN, PA., BOX 311, 19404-0311
PHONE (610) 278-3061 FAX 278-5943
COMMISSIONERS:
JAMES R. MATTHEWS, Chairman, JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Vice Chairman, BRUCE L. CASTOR, JR, Commissioner
RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY 02/27/08 PR#08-06
Helping Meet the Unique Needs of Foster Children Local Girl Takes Up "My Bag" Program
NORRISTOWN — Children who enter foster care often do so under the worst circumstances that demand they be taken out of a dangerous situation quickly.
As a result, the children enter a world of uncertainty with people they don’t know, in unfamiliar surroundings and few, if any, possessions other than the clothes they are wearing.
In Montgomery County, a Girl Scout from Elkins Park is trying to lessen that ordeal by helping to provide those children with a personalized bag they can fill with items that are all their own.
Rebecca Rose is earning her Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, by participating in “My Bag” program. She delivered boxes of items she had collected through her church and Girl Scout troop and delivered them Wednesday to the County Human Services Center.
The Montgomery County Commissioners and staff from the County’s Office of Children and Youth Services were on hand to greet Becky and thank her for her efforts.
“My Bag” supplies a canvas tote-bag that is decorated with age appropriate themes.
The name “My Bag” has two meanings, said Jenifer Fields, a foster parent who helped start the program recently.
There’s the traditional definition, indicating ownership of the bag and the second meaning from the decorations the child chooses, indicating an area of interest skill, talent or hobby, she said.
Items the Office of Children and Youth Services is seeking for “My Bag”
Deodorant
Body Wash
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Lip balm
Lotion
Pens
Pencils
Journals
Sudoku/activity books
Crossword/word search
Diapers
Wipes
Rattles
Bottles
Baby blankets
Kid-themed pillow cases
Flip-flops
Comb/hair brush/pick
Barrettes/hair bands
Socks
Underwear
Playing cards
Small balls
Yo-yos
Stuffed animals
Trivia cards
Winter gloves
Winter hats
Gift cards
Hand-held electronic games
(left to right) Montgomery County Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel, Commissioners Chairman James R. Matthews and Commissioner Bruce L. Castor, Jr. thank Rebecca Rose for her donations to the My Bag program.
