A Pasco County woman is on a mission to help bring a glimmer of hope to children who are moved from their homes because of abuse.
- A Child's Hope has made 1,600 bags for children
- Goal is to help children who are removed from their homes
- Want to donate? Click here
"A brush and comb, tooth brush and toothpaste," Sandy Thompson said, reading from a list.
It's a list of items that will soon be owned by Pinellas and Pasco County children who are removed from their homes because of abuse, abandonment or neglect.
“Some of them come out of their houses, like my grandchildren, with next to nothing," Thompson said. "(The bags are) theirs, it's new, it's for them."
Thompson's daughter is a foster mom.
"The children have hope that they are going to be safe, that they're going to be cared for." - Sandy Thompson
“According to her, her kids were given a garbage bag to put their things in," Thompson said. "And so when I asked her what would have helped you, she said instantly, 'A bag mom, give them a bag.'"
But Thompson wanted to do much more. She, along with a group of volunteers at her church, Faith Lutheran Church in New Port Richey, created “A Child’s Hope.”
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The volunteers put together donated materials in bags for children who meet people like Amber Robinson, a child protective investigator.
“A recent case, we had children taken out of a home with deplorable conditions," Robinson said. "They were presented these bags, and the little 7-year-old was overjoyed because she never has had a hair brush."
A Child’s Hope has made up nearly 1,600 bags since last summer for the Pasco and Pinellas County sheriff’s offices.
And it’s a great need. In Pasco County, up to 50 children on average are being removed from their homes a month.
So even if it’s just a small token, Thompson hopes the bags will give just a glimmer of hope.
“The children have hope that they are going to be safe, that they're going to be cared for," Thompson said.
If you'd like to donate, please click here.