Massive diaper donation made for children in foster care

Havre's Little Monkeys Daycare organized a diaper drive for Court Appointed Special Advocates - CASA - of Hill County and The Foster Closet and Wednesday delivered 3,000 diapers.

"The diaper drive was an idea that I thought would be good for our community by helping The Foster Closet and the CASA kids," Little Monkeys Daycare Director and Owner Angela Toldness said. "I saw a clip about the amounts of diapers that a child goes through in a month and that (some) families go without food at times so they can afford diapers. When a child or children gets taken away from their homes, most times they come with nothing and have nothing."

"The diapers will be extremely helpful," Foster Closet Founder and Director Amanda Christofferson said. "I am humbled that there were as many donations this time of year. 

Christofferson said the Foster Closet program was created to help children as they transition into care with comfort items and totes of their own that they can use to empower them through their new journey. The goal is to provide families with the basic necessities for the children.

"Most totes, bags are filled with one to two outfits, pajamas, hygiene items, book, stuffed animal and a toy. This is all donation-based. The minimum a kiddo will get is a tote, blanket, stuffed animal and book," she said "The foster closet came through the heart of a previous foster parent who knows the need for both the kiddos and families in this time of transition."

Christofferson opened Foster Closet March 2018 and she said she partners with CASA of Hill County.

"We feel blessed to know the community really supports our mission to help foster parents with needed items in a time of crisis," CASA Executive Director Chamene Plum,

CASA is a non-profit group which works within the court system advocating for the needs of children who have been removed from their parents, either because of abuse or neglect, and put into the court system through no fault of their own. CASA volunteers are tasked with reviewing the child's case, investigating the case and meeting with the child at least once a month so they can advocate for the child int he court system.

Toldness said she knew a great need existed, adding that the monthly cost of diapers per month per child can range from $70 to $80.

"I also have collected over 680 wipes, some diaper rash creams," she said. "I had originally had a goal of 1,000 diapers, so I well exceeded that mark. I was just trying to do something that would help out and the community proved to me that it can be much bigger than what I thought."

A Child's Place, Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods and Havre's Helping Haven were some of the local businesses who participated in donating diapers.

People interested in donating items to The Foster Closet can contact Christofferson at 399-3309.