Drive starts to collect luggage for kids in foster care

Cases for Love launched today to collect suitcases for 1,200 local children in foster care who move from home to home, oftentimes carrying their belongings in a box or large garbage bag. Cincinnati’s Julie Philippi-Whitney was inspired to start the collection on a local level after having seen a national news story that she says brought her to tears.
 
As just one person, Philippi-Whitney knew she needed the support of the community, and Sibcy Cline Realtors shared similar sentiments and stepped in to join the community-wide effort. All 22 of its offices throughout the Tristate, in addition to Second Story Auctions in Blue Ash, will serve as collection points for donated luggage. The collection will run through Feb. 14.
 
“As a local business, our real estate agents work in and are involved with our communities every day,” says Susan Knabe, Sibcy Cline’s director of marketing. “It feels really good to give back by serving as a collection point for suitcase donations as well as encouraging all of our agents and employees to donate as well.”
 
University Moving and Storage Co. — also a collection point at its West Chester location — has volunteered as a community partner to transport the suitcases to 900 children in foster care through Hamilton County Job & Family Services as well as 300 children through Butler County’s Warm Welcomes.
 
For local businesses who aid in the process of transitioning from one place to another, it’s particularly meaningful to be involved in the luggage drive.
 
“For most people, home means ‘safety’ and ‘love’,” Knabe says. “We know these foster children must be frightened when they have to move to a new home and cannot imagine having to tote belongings in a trash bag or cardboard box, often quite suddenly or unexpectedly in a time of crisis. It is our hope that a suitcase will help make these kids feel better in their circumstances and help ease their transition as they settle into their new homes.”

Do Good:

•    Donate new or gently used suitcases, totes, duffel bags, etc. to Cases for Love. Sibcy Cline office locations are listed here.

•    "Like" Cases for Love on Facebook, and share the page with your friends.

•    Connect with HCJFS and Warm Welcomes on Facebook.