The Newton County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS), along with Help Moving Hearts, is holding a luggage drive for children entering foster care to give them a suitable way to transport personal items.

Many times, children taken in to DFCS custody are forced to pack their clothing and other essential items in garbage bags or grocery bags because they do not own a suitcase, according to Newton County DFCS Director William D. Thomas.

“We want to rectify this situation for our children by providing quality luggage/suitcases, toiletry items and comfort items, like teddy bears, for younger children needing comfort during such a difficult time,” Thomas said.

Thomas and Annie Huff of Help Moving Hearts are asking for the community’s help. They will be accepting donations of luggage and stuffed toys on Saturday, Nov. 21. The “Care-Bag Luggage Drive-Thru” will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., rain or shine, in the parking lot of the DFCS office at 4117 Mill Street in Covington.

The goal is to collect over 300 pieces of luggage to distribute to current foster children and those who will enter the system in the future. There are approximately 190 children in foster care at present.

“We are hoping the community will step up and help us address this need,” Thomas said. “Anything we can do to ease the trauma foster children experience from being removed from their homes is a worthwhile effort.”

For more information on the event, contact Thomas at 404-895-4776 or Huff at 678-310-5235.