2016 TCF Angel Tree: Foster Closet of Michigan (Ends 12/2)

[NariaDreaming]

Tis the Season

This year, TCF is proud to support the Foster Closet of Michigan with our annual Angel Tree Drive.

What is the Foster Closet of Michigan?

The Foster Closet of Michigan provides personal items (clothes, undergarments, toys, shoes, baby gear, and furniture) to children placed in the foster care system in the State of Michigan. These items are new and like-new items that have been donated. Children entering care often have no personal items, and in many cases have only the clothes on their backs. The items they provide help to beigin the process of rebuilidng a foster child's self-esteem, and provides them with belongings they can call their own.

Our very own shemarie82 is the coordinator for one of the Foster Closet of Michigan branches, and she's provided me with some information to share in the second post.

You'll probably notice that a lot of the Amazon items are daily essentials. And while I know that pads, tampons, diapers, and soap are not nearly as exciting as shopping for toys and cute baby clothes, if we can stock the Foster Closet with their day-to-day needs, they'll be able to spend more of their valuable time and financial resources meeting the larger unment needs of these families instead of constantly having to go out and buy diapers and shampoo.


As always, help if you are able, but don't feel guilty if it's not in the budget this year. If you sort the list by cost, you will see that we have 2.5 pages of items under $10, and most of them are NOT add-on items. We tried to ensure there were options for every budget.

Shop Here: amzn.to/2eYeonZ

[NariaDreaming]

From shemarie82:

The Foster Closet of Michigan was established in 2012 when a small group of individuals realized the need for support within the foster parent community. Often times when a child comes into foster care, they have little more than the clothing on their backs. With the establishment of the Foster Closet of Michigan, we are able to provide children items as they come into foster care for the first time, or as they need additional items. Foster children throughout the state of Michigan are serviced at any of our branches. When a child comes in for the first time, they will each receive new socks, underwear, and pajamas as available. We also provide them with personal hygiene items.

Each branch takes in donations to meet the needs of their demographical area. We serve children from birth up to young adults that have aged out of the system. We take any gently used items that a child would use. All of our items are free of charge to the children and the foster parents.

In 2015 our 16 branches served 2,614 children. In 2016, our organization has grown to 19 branches and continues to expand into additional counties.

[Deleted]

Yay! Thanks for this. I sent my order!

[butlerfan]

I have to look more later but I plan on ordering this weekend. I wish we had this idea closer to where I live. It a very needed place.

[CoverGirl82]

As someone in MI, this is very exciting! I'm going to buy a few things tonight or tomorrow!

[shemarie82]

Nov 18, 2016 11:17:54 GMT -5 @sweptaway said:

I just sent a few things. I wish I could do more. shemarie82 thank you for all the work you do to support your community. It is inspiring.

Anything is a HUGE help! Thank you sooo much!

[shemarie82]

So people can see what we do, if you haven't been following all my AWing. This is the shopping that was done for 4 brothers that came into care yesterday with nothing.

They each got new socks, underwear/diapers, pajamas, plus we are getting them winter coats, boots, and snow pants. Each child goes home with a homemade blanket if they wish and pillowcase to hold their items.

[cp3]

You do amazing work! Just sent an order. Thanks for doing this.

[zoeylucy]

My order is in! Thank you for what you do shemarie82.

[shemarie82]

These ALL came TODAY! My mail lady is getting something extra special this year for Christmas!

[ampaints]

shemarie82 do you guys accept the hands made blankets? Money is really tight right now, but I have extra yarn downstairs and I could crochet one. If so are they fill size blankets or smaller size?

[shemarie82]

Nov 19, 2016 19:32:14 GMT -5 ampaints said:

shemarie82 do you guys accept the hands made blankets? Money is really tight right now, but I have extra yarn downstairs and I could crochet one. If so are they fill size blankets or smaller size?

Yes we do! I just gave two out yesterday!

[bluejoan]

put my order in today. Wish I could do more.

[shemarie82]

Nov 20, 2016 11:00:49 GMT -5 bluejoan said:

put my order in today. Wish I could do more.

Every single item is appreciated. Thank you!

[amch8]

You rock, shemarie82!

[McBenny]

Please keep in mind there are Angel trees across the country that you can do for. These families often do not have the benefit of getting any kind of assistance from anyone.

[dramaphile]

Bought some undies! Shopping for essentials isn't as fun as toys, but so necessary. I have a friend who donates pads and tampons to homeless programs and women's shelters every year.

[butlerfan]

Nov 22, 2016 8:26:39 GMT -5 McBenny said:

Please keep in mind there are Angel trees across the country that you can do for. These families often do not have the benefit of getting any kind of assistance from anyone.

Good reminder...I always do at least 1 tag off the angel tree either at our church or mall every year.  The tree at the mall I believe is going up either today or tomorrow so I need to get a tag. 

[zoeylucy]

Nov 22, 2016 8:26:39 GMT -5 McBenny said:

Please keep in mind there are Angel trees across the country that you can do for. These families often do not have the benefit of getting any kind of assistance from anyone.

I'm on that one, too. I'm taking DS out on Sunday to buy for our angel tree kids.

[shemarie82]

This is since I took the last load on Saturday! You ladies are AMAZING!!!!!

[shemarie82]

Please send me a PM with your email address if you would like a tax deduction form.

[Unknown]

I can't click links on my work computer, does anybody mind posting the url? I did an Amazon search, but came up with a few Foster Closets of MI.
Thanks,

[NariaDreaming]

Nov 30, 2016 8:42:48 GMT -5 Unknown said:

I can't click links on my work computer, does anybody mind posting the url? I did an Amazon search, but came up with a few Foster Closets of MI.
Thanks,

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ls/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&lid=29NCKI11WNJX0&linkCode=sl2&linkId=3fb0f23d6fb25e1403a98807c4fd3f1b&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&sort=universal-price&tag=thecomfam-20&ty=wishlist&view=null

[NariaDreaming]

Nov 30, 2016 8:42:48 GMT -5 Unknown said:

I can't click links on my work computer, does anybody mind posting the url? I did an Amazon search, but came up with a few Foster Closets of MI.
Thanks,

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ls/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&lid=29NCKI11WNJX0&linkCode=sl2&linkId=3fb0f23d6fb25e1403a98807c4fd3f1b&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&sort=universal-price&tag=thecomfam-20&ty=wishlist&view=null

[Unknown]

Done! Always wish I could do more. You're doing such an amazing thing shemarie82,

[yl]

Done! You're awesome, shemarie82! xoxo

[mykidsgotcurls]

Thank you for all that you do, shemarie82. I'm going to remind my BMB to help out.

[ajm0711]

Just sent an order! Almost forgot!

[thiscoffeechick]

I would like to share this link on my Facebook page to encourage friends to donate. Is there any reason (privacy issues) that I should NOT do this? Wanted to check before posting.
Thanks!

[NariaDreaming]

Dec 2, 2016 15:07:50 GMT -5 thiscoffeechick said:

I would like to share this link on my Facebook page to encourage friends to donate. Is there any reason (privacy issues) that I should NOT do this? Wanted to check before posting.
Thanks!

Go for it. I don't see any reference to TCF (I just checked) and the shipping address is masked