Local Business shares special connection with Children in Foster Care
FASTSIGNS® of Lafayette, LA is participating in Foster the Love Louisiana’s Pajama Drive for the 2nd year in a row by making their center a donation hub. Donations come from local business owners, employees and individuals throughout the community who have heard about the organization and its efforts.
Tim Randolph, Center Manager at FASTSIGNS® of Lafayette, LA, and his wife, Kati, became foster parents in the last several years and have worked hand in hand with this organization. The Randolph family will be donating to the pajama drive this year along with Kevin Hebert, FASTSIGNS® of Lafayette, LA franchisee on behalf of this FASTSIGNS center.
“They are an incredible group of individuals whose goal is to make the community more aware of the hardships these kids go through upon initial placement,” said Randolph. “While we do not currently have any foster children in our home, I can personally attest to the validity of their efforts, as the four placements we've welcomed to our home literally came to us with the clothes they were wearing and nothing else.”
While local case workers try their best to be as timely as possible in getting the foster parents clothes after placing the children, there can often be a delay and that’s where Foster the Love comes in. Tim and Kati do what they can to donate clothes, toys and volunteer when available. In 2019, FASTSIGNS was able to collect a number of donations during last years’ drive and wants to grow the donation since last year. With the support of Kevin Hebert and the staff at FASTSIGNS, the team will be contributing 40-50 sets of pajamas and possibly more.
“We donate to this group, because we were immensely blessed to receive so many clothes and toys from friends and family when we first became foster parents,” said Randolph. "’Thank you’ cannot be said enough to any individual or business entity who is willing to donate anything to this cause, no matter how large or small.”
This year, there are over 50 donation locations around Lafayette, and FASTSIGNS is thrilled to be one of them. They are involved, because they know that the organization can't function or thrive without the generosity of the community behind it.
“Through this drive, business owners have the opportunity to show their community that they are willing to share their successes with those who need it most,” said Randolph. “Through fostering, we have seen first-hand the struggles that come with fostering a child/children. While the donation of pajamas may seem like a small thing, it may be the only thing that brings a new foster child an ounce of comfort on their first night with their foster family. We are happy to help provide some comfort to these kids.”
"Thank you to everyone for giving so generously to support local children in foster care,” said Heather Duhon, Executive Director at Foster the Love Louisiana. “The pajamas collected during our Pajama Drive will be used in our First Night Bags, which are given to children entering foster care. We are so thankful for such a giving community!"
To learn more about Foster the Love Louisiana, visit the link here. To donate to this campaign, coordinate a dropoff at FASTSIGNS® of Lafayette, LA by calling (337) 202-2518 or email them at 2225@fastsigns.com. To donate directly to the organization, visit the link here.
About Foster the Love Louisiana:
Foster the Love Louisiana exists to encourage and support foster and adoptive families; to empower and support children, youth and families affected by trauma, and to educate the community on the needs of the foster system. While the number of children entering foster care each year increases by 4%, the number of foster homes available to take in children decreases by more than 30%. More than 50% of children in foster care for at least one year will experience 3 foster home placements. For youth aging out of care, 1 in 5 will become homeless. The foster system is not adequately equipped to meet the overwhelming needs of children and families in foster care. Support must come from the community. We were founded to raise awareness and bridge the gap between a community rich in compassion and resources to a community of selfless caregivers, vulnerable families and youth in need of support.
About FASTSIGNS ®
FASTSIGNS® of Lafayette, LA is a locally and independently owned and operated sign, graphics and visual communications company that provides comprehensive visual marketing solutions to customers of all sizes—across all industries—to help them attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touchpoints including décor, events, wearables, digital signage and marketing materials. To learn more, visit fastsigns.com/2225 or call (337) 202-2518.