Donations sought for homeless or foster care children and young adults

The Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens and its community partners recently announced the kickoff of the 2015 Heart2Heart Hugs Campaign at William Henry Middle School in Dover.

Heart 2 Heart Hugs provides warmth, comfort, hugs and smiles for kids and young adults in Delaware who are homeless or in foster care. There are many kids and young adults with special needs who are in foster care or are homeless. According to statistics from 2013, there were approximately 4,000 children and young adults from birth to age 21 who were classified as homeless or in foster care last year. Of that 4,000, approximately one third receive special education services.

According to information presented at the kickoff, the definition of homeless does not just include individuals living in their cars or on park benches.  Homeless also describes individuals who are doubling up and living with friends or relatives because they have no permanent address of their own.  It includes individuals who live in motels as well, and individuals who are inadequately housed. Since it's impossible to personally hug each and every one of these kids and young adults, those who care can try to do the next best thing.

Cuddly blankets, a special homemade quilt or afghan, pillow pets, Snuggies, scarves, gloves, mittens, long johns, flannel pajamas, ear muffs…the list could go on and on. These are the types of practical, portable positive hugs organizers want to collect and send to as many kids and young adults who are homeless or in foster care in Delaware as possible.

With that in mind, the GACEC is again working with its community partners to collect cozy, comfy items for these kids and young adults. A list of drop-off locations around the state will be available on the GACEC website, www.gacec.delaware.gov, and on the GACEC Facebook page.

The GACEC will host a reception Feb. 13, 2015, at George V. Massey Station in Dover. Case workers, caregivers, dignitaries and other interested parties throughout the state will be invited to the reception. The case workers will be asked to come and select from the items and to distribute them to individuals they know need them most.

Items should be new or newly made. Homemade, sewn, knitted or crocheted items are terrific. They may be for boys or girls, anywhere from newborn to age 21.

Items needed include:

• Blankets
• Coats
• Scarves
• Gloves
• Mittens
• Snuggies
• Sleeping bags
• Pillow pets
• Cozy pajamas
• Comfy, warm slippers
• Cuddle Duds or long johns
• Earmuffs
• Hand warmers similar to those used by hunters
• Snuggly socks
• Sweatshirts or hoodies
• Fleece pants
• Sweaters.

For a list of collection locations, go to gacec.delaware.gov.

For more information, contact Kathie Cherry at 302-739-4553 or Kathie.cherry@gacec.k12.de.us.