BlogTogs

Plea for Toddler Shoes

2008-09-12T17:24:00.001-05:00

This came to me this week:

Our Preschool kids are in desperate need of shoes! Sandals or tennis shoes would be fine. We especially need toddler sizes 7, 8 & 9. We need them for both boy’s and girl’s. If you have other sizes, that’s ok too! We’ll need them soon I’m sure!

Thank you!!

August Needs

2008-08-19T11:12:00.004-05:00

It looks like the shelter is in need of new items that we haven't supplied in the past. Please consider donating some of the grocery items requested. I can only assume that they have more infants and toddlers than I've seen in the past--requests of preemie clothing breaks my heart! The older group looks big, too, since they need so many shorts and shoes. Email me at blogtogs@gmail.com if you would like to donate and I will pick-up and deliver your goods.

thanks!
-Christa

Here are the (many) needs for the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter for August. Remember that we definitely accept gently used clothing!

Thank you so much for all that you do for the children here!!

Infants & Preschoolers
Baby wash
Bubble Bath
Barrettes
Baby shampoo
Baby lotion
Toddler toothpaste & toothbrushes
Vaseline
Size 3 Pull-ups for boys & girls
Large size Goodnights diapers
Girls 2T – 6 panties
Girls & Boys 3-5 year old socks
Girls summer clothes 3T – 5T
Preemie clothing
PJs of all sizes

School agers
Teen girls large socks
Girls summer shorts sizes 6-8 & 10-12
Teen girls summer shorts size 9 and up
Teen girls summer shirts size Large
Boys summer shorts size 10-12
Teen boys summer clothing size 16 and up
Tennis shoes of all sizes but especially teen girls sizes 5-9
Jeans of all sizes

Misc.
Olive oil
Dawn dish soap
Shower caps
Paper towels & napkins
Laundry Soap, bleach & dryer sheets
Lice combs
Masking tape
Pens
Toothpaste
Latex & Vinyl gloves
Tampons & thick sanitary pads
Body wash for school age boys & girls
Deodorant for boys & girls
Non-seasonal medium to large stuffed animals

Anything will be much appreciated! Please feel free to forward this to anyone you know who may be able to help us out. Thank you!!

New Summer Needs for Preschoolers

2008-07-24T11:29:00.000-05:00

Here is the latest needs list for the young preschoolers. Let me know if you can help. Thanks!

Girls 3T, 4T and 5T summer clothes
Girls preemie summer clothing & pjs
Girls 3T-5T pjs
Boys 3T-5T pjs
Boys underwear sizes 2T-6
Girls underwear size 2T-3T
Kids and toddler toothpaste
Toddler ages 1-2 toothbrushes
Sand for the sandbox (yes more still)

bubbles, bubbles, everywhere!

2008-07-09T18:51:00.002-05:00

Last week the kids and I delivered at least 30 bottles of bubbles for the preschool kids to celebrate summer! Our church members donated them, as well as many fun toys to add to the shelter's collection. I also took many clothes and toys that my friend donated after she cleaned her garage and found them all. What a great surprise!

New Summer Needs List

2008-06-20T15:54:00.001-05:00

I received this latest list today from the shelter. Please let me know if you can donate anything and I will arrange to pick it up from you. Thanks!

Clothing:
· Boys small and medium socks
· Boys 2T – 4T, 4-6 and 8-10 underwear
· Girls 3T summer
· Boys 18 mo summer
· All sizes of toddler socks
· Girls 2T-4T summer pjs
· Girls 5-8 summer pjs
· Boys 5-8 summer pjs
· Boys 10-16 summer pjs
· Boys 6-8 shorts

Toiletries/supplies
· Baby wash and lotion, daytime and nighttime
· Shampoo
· Conditioner
· Hair spray/gel
· Paper towels
· Black trash bags, drawstring 39+ gallon
· Dixie cups
· Hand soap, both refills and individual dispensers
· Body wash for boys and girls
Sprinklers
Toddler toothpaste
Sand for Pre-school sand box
Small photo albums
· Boys deodorant

Success!

2008-06-16T21:12:00.003-05:00

Earlier this month I received an email updating me on the outpouring of support for the teen mom at the shelter. Thanks to you and to many other donors, she received more than enough to start her new life with her kids in an apartment. She passed her driver's test and received her license and is getting her GED soon. I also learned of a young toddler who was afraid of human contact when she arrived at the shelter and now, when her 45 days are up, she is full of hugs for the workers there.

I see how blessed the children are when they stay at the shelter, despite the terrible circumstances that lead them there. If we continue to supply them with the basic needs of clothing, toiletries and diapers, the shelter can spend its money on dedicated workers to care for the kids while also raising money for their capital campaign to build a larger facility.

I will be taking a large donation at the end of this month. Please contact me if you have infant, toddler or youth clothing that you would like to donate. If you would like to donate other necessities, I will gladly take them too!

Thanks for your interest!

Summer Needs

2008-05-07T11:49:00.003-05:00

I received this latest needs list from the shelter today. If you have any of these items, please let me know and I will take them to Bentonville soon.

thanks!

Summer
· Girls 6-8 shorts
· Girls 10-12 shorts
· Girls 14-16 shirts
· Girls 3T/4T/5T shirts and shorts
· Boys 14-16 shirts and shorts
· Boys 2T shirt and shorts
· Girls 18 month everything
· Girls pjs 2T – 16
· Boys pjs 6-16
· Teen pjs small/med/lrg/xl

Shoes
· Girls 13
· youth girls 1/4/3
· teen girls 9/10/8/7/6/5
· child boys 13
· youth boys 1 and 2

Toiletries
· girls and boys body wash
· boys deodorant
· toothpaste
· Dixie cups
· Tampons for teens
· Hand soap

Misc.
· Backpacks
Small photo albums
Sand for new preschool sandbox
Self-laminating sheets
Photo paper
Bubbles
2 Plastic Pools for the preschoolers to swim in this summer
Small carpet cleaner for preschool building
4 Highchairs (We’ve found that Graco high chairs last the longest. The Harmony High Chair, Winnie the Pooh Days of Hunny, is our favorite for safety, ease of use and longevity.)

Teen mom's needs

2008-04-28T12:44:00.002-05:00

Last Friday folks from the shelter traveled to Fayetteville and Prairie Grove to pick up a crib, 2 beds, a dresser and a changing table (I hope I got those right). Thank you Karen and Holly for donating again!

I took a load of spring clothing a few weeks ago along with new twin and full sheets and a comforter for the mom and her daughter. I was able to buy those with a donation from my mother-in-law.

I took the goods from Cat's birthday party along with 15 pairs of pants, 27 pairs of shorts, 82 shirts, 19 skirts, 12 dresses, 6 swimsuits, 15 pairs of socks, 20 hats, 77 infant onesies, 27 t-shirts, 25 adult shirts and 5 adult skirts.
.
The shelter is always very appreciative. Thank you for your help!!

Birthday Party gifts

2008-04-28T12:40:00.002-05:00

Catherine had so much fun opening the bags of clothing that her friends brought as donations. She pulled out every item to show me. All in all, she collected 13 pairs of pants, 4 jackets, 41 shirts, 3 swimsuits, 9 t-shirts, 12 pairs of shorts and 2 dresses! Her friends were very generous!!

Cat's birthday party

2008-03-30T19:40:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was Catherine's 11th birthday party and instead of gifts, she asked her friends to bring clothing for kids at the shelter. She was so excited to open all of the gifts of new and gently used clothes. Her friends went overboard and I now have another load to deliver soon. How cool!!

I am overwhelmed!

2008-03-28T15:49:00.001-05:00

I emailed the shelter's request to my friends who have donated already, and within 10 minutes of sending it, two of them wrote back that they have a crib, a bed and a dresser to give. How wonderful!!! THANK YOU!!

New critical needs

2008-03-28T15:27:00.002-05:00

We recently admitted a 17-year old girl and her two children, a little boy that is 10 months old and a little girl who is almost 3. As you know, every resident that walks through our front door has a different story. This family was doing well, living in an apartment. Due to an unfortunate event, they were brought into foster care. While here, a court-order with information that resulted in eviction was given to their apartment manager. Though the eviction was through no fault of our resident or her children, they lost almost everything that was in the apartment. Luckily, we were able to retrieve some of their pictures, baby books and other sentimental items.

Our 17-year old resident turns "18" next month and will have to leave the shelter. We are therefore trying to get the basics for her and her children. Although we have provided them with some of the items they’ll need, there are still a few things necessary to helping her re-establish her independence. Listed below are some immediate needs:

- Crib
- Toddler bed w/ sheets
- Pillows
- Washcloths/towels
- Dishes/silverware

Since this 17-year old has arrived at the shelter, she has proven to be a wonderful mother. She wants to get her GED and is testing at a 12th grade level in most areas. She hopes to attend college once her GED is completed and has expressed an interest in being a dental hygienist. She is also studying for her driving test. We plan on taking her to the revenue office on her 18th birthday to test. Once she passes, her next need will be a vehicle. This vehicle will allow her to get a job, take her children to daycare and pursue her dream of attending college. We know this is a huge request but hope someone will consider donating a used vehicle that is in good working condition and will be long-lasting.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and generosity in advance. Please forward this to anyone that you think may be able to help. We want to give this teen mom every chance to succeed and know, with your help, we can give her all of the right tools to do so.

Alycia Cortelyou
Case Manager
Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter
479-795-2417

Another successful trip!

2008-03-14T14:31:00.003-05:00

I made another trip to the shelter this week and delivered lots of clothes and suitcases! I took 66 pairs of pants, 57 long sleeve shirts, 21 sweaters, 22 pairs of pajamas and 52 pairs of socks, among many other items. The weather here is so pretty that I need to unpack the spring and summer clothes to deliver in April.

Thank you employees at JB Hunt, Daisy troop 812 and members of Beta Sigma Phi for donating so many clothes, tote bags and duffels! I love delivering a car full of gently used items.

More clothes sorted!

2008-03-06T19:13:00.005-06:00

I finally sorted 7 huge bags of clothing from a friend and her coworkers, and boy did I get a treasure trove of nice clothes. When the weather in NWA cooperates, I will make the trek to Bentonville and deliver the warm clothes to the shelter. Hopefully next week! Soon it will be time for me to unpack all of the warm weather clothes that I have stored in my attic and deliver them, too.

In an effort to clean Catherine's room, she decided it was time to give away all of her Polly Pockets and Sweet Streets toys. We packed them up and I took them to Once Upon a Child (consignment store) along with some clothes we had. With the $54 in store credit I received, I bought 14 pairs of children's pajamas to give to the shelter and I will buy more soon with the rest of the money. Cat likes that she helped the kids while helping herself in the process. I like it too!

Thank you for your continued support in out effort to provide clothing to the kids at the NWACS!

Big Surprises!

2008-02-12T21:02:00.002-06:00

I got two wonderful birthday surprises on Friday. The first was a card from the shelter telling me that my college roommate, Sara, donated money to them in my honor for my birthday. How cool was that?? Then, I received a check from my dad for me to buy much needed items like underwear and socks for the kids. I had fun comparative shopping today before I delivered another big load.

Today I took 5 suitcases, 8 tote bags and backpacks, 36 pairs of new socks, 13 pairs of new underwear, 5 teen girls shirts, 6 infant and toddler outfits, 27 baby onesies, 5 coats and jackets and a pair of pajamas. Not bad for one week after delivering a ton of clothes, if I do say so myself.

Besides Sara and my dad, I must also thank the wonderful employees at Mana Health Service and at JB Hunt for gathering items for me. Thanks also to a friend from Tyson Foods and one from Springline Consulting Group. Northwest Arkansas has very caring individuals, as does Washington, DC, where both dad and Sara live!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

new immediate clothing needs

2008-02-06T12:04:00.000-06:00

Despite all of the clothing I delivered on Monday, the kids at the shelter still need the following items:

Teen Girls-
Shirts S-XL
Pants size 13 and up
Socks
Panties size 7

Girls-
PJ’s size 5-8
Shirts size 6-12
Pants size 6-8
Socks - medium

Infant girls-
Shirts - 6-9 mo., 12 mo., 18 mo., 2T
Pants - 6-9 mo., 12 mo., 18 mo., 2T

Infant boys-
Shirts - 12mo., 2T
Pants - 12 mo. 2T

Boys-
Shirts - 4-5
Socks - ages 5-10

We need all sizes of sweats for boys and girls sizes 5 and up

Shoes (tennis shoes only, please)-
Infant boys 0,1,2,4,5,7,9,12
Infant girls 0,1,2,3,12
Boys size 5,6 & 8
Girls size 2,3,4,6 & up

I will collect and deliver any items you would like to donate. Please email me at blogtogs@gmail.com.

backpacks, duffels, and suitcases needed

2008-02-06T10:43:00.000-06:00

After my trip on Monday I decided I would collect new and gently used suitcases and bags that the kids can carry their belongings in when they leave the shelter. Just last night I received 2 large duffel bags and 4 totes that will be very useful. I scoured my closets and found 3 suitcases and a small backpack to add to the collection. And then a local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi offered to collect bags and suitcases as their service project next month. What a blessing!

If you have anything you would like to donate please email me. To see what is on the clothing needs list, scroll down to the bottom of this page, or click the "links" button underneath this message. And please pass this information on to others!

wonderfully overloaded!

2008-02-04T12:47:00.000-06:00

I made it to the shelter this morning and toured the facility to learn more. Look at my overstuffed car!

I took 77 winter shirts, 20 sweaters, 21 pairs of jeams, 36 pairs of pants, 21 jackets and coats, 31 pairs of pajamas, 71 pairs of socks and plenty of underwear, shoes and toys.

Currently the shelter is housing 25 kids, ranging from toddler to teen. Each child receives 7 outfits to keep, so the supply of clothing runs out quickly. When they have suitcases or duffel bags, the kids receive one to carry their belongings. Today I saw 2 children leaving for foster care, and they each had one duffel bag and a trash bag to carry their clothes. I would like to collect bags for the kids, too, because no one should have to keep precious items in trash bags!

Please email me at blogtogs@gmail.com for more information on how to donate clothing, toys and bags.

no go because of the snow

2008-02-01T14:44:00.000-06:00

I was not able to deliver the clothes on Thursday as planned, so I have rescheduled my trip for Monday, February 4. Now I have more time to collect a few more items from friends. Please email me if you would like to donate to this load before I deliver it.

the list is almost filled!

2008-01-30T11:21:00.000-06:00

As of this morning, I have over 200 articles of clothing from this list to deliver tomorrow. We still need toddler boy's socks, boy's underwear, boy's, girl's and men's shoes, teen boy's jeans and teen girl's clothes--shirts, pants and jeans. This is wonderful!!

WOW!

2008-01-28T07:59:00.001-06:00

On Sunday I collected donations from 4 friends. After unloading my overstuffed car, my office floor is now covered in bags to sort and categorize before delivering the clothes to the shelter on Thursday. I am overwhelmed at the outpouring of generosity in our community. I can't say it enough.
THANK YOU!!

Help us help kids in NWAR

2008-01-24T13:26:00.000-06:00

Sometimes if you ask my kids "are you lucky?" they may not answer right away. But if you ask me, I say "yes!" They have 2 loving parents, a safe home, warm clothing, caring teachers and each other. Whether they realize it or not, they are very lucky.

But recently I learned of too many kids in Northwest Arkansas who are not so lucky. Over 300 children are funneled through the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter each year because they are removed from an abusive home and temporarily placed in the shelter while awaiting return to their home or placement in foster care. Often the kids arrive at the shelter with the clothes on their backs, some of which doesn't fit, is dirty or is damaged. Upon learning this, my family decided we can do something to help. As a mother, it broke my heart when I saw the need for pajamas for a 12-24 month boy at the shelter.

We began gathering used and new clothes based on the immediate needs list provided by the shelter. We scoured our closets for gently used items and we hope you will do the same. We asked friends and family for donations and have received a lot already. I plan to deliver the clothes on a monthly basis starting January 31st.

Now I am turning to the internet to seek more donations. I have never blogged before, but I believe I will reach so many more caring people this way. If you have any of these items, please email me at blogtogs@gmail.com and I will arrange to pickup donations. I will ensure that you get a tax receipt for your donations when I deliver them to the shelter. If you would like to donate money you can do so directly on the shelter's website--listed under my links.

Please help us help the kids at the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter! No donation is too small. THANK YOU!!!