Handmade Comfort Bags for Foster Kids: A Community Initiative in Adams County
In Adams County, Pennsylvania, a heartwarming initiative aims to bring comfort to children entering the foster care system. Judy Geary, a lifelong sewing enthusiast from Biglerville, has begun crafting handmade “comfort bags” designed to provide a sense of security and warmth to young individuals displaced from their homes. These comfort bags, stitched with care and packed with essential items, represent more than just material possessions; they symbolize hope during a challenging transition.
The stark reality for many children entering the foster care system is the use of trash bags to transport their belongings. Geary recalls her motivation to start this project, driven by the abundance of fabric she had accumulated over the years and a desire to create a more respectful and comforting experience for these vulnerable children. “I observed how often children arrive with their items thrown into trash bags,” Geary remarked. “It’s an unsettling message during an already frightening time in their lives.”
Pennsylvania has approximately 14,000 children in foster care, and while Geary acknowledges that her project cannot reach all of them, she hopes to inspire others to join in the effort. “If even a few of these children can smile when they receive a comfort bag, then that would mean the world to me,” she stated.
Each comfort bag takes Geary three to four hours to create and includes practical necessities such as a tote bag, a toiletry bag, and a pillowcase. Geary has also begun including comfort items such as stuffed animals, coloring books, and notebooks, believing that every child deserves a comforting object during times of distress.
The initiative, which started as a personal project, has quickly gained traction. Geary took to Facebook to ask the community for support, leading to an enthusiastic response from nearly 50 volunteers eager to learn sewing skills and contribute to the cause. Geary offers to teach aspiring sewers, emphasizing that she welcomes anyone willing to help, regardless of their skill level. “Even if I could get 10 sewers to commit to making one set a week — that’s 40 bags a month,” she explained.
With the project expanding, Geary is actively seeking additional support for purchasing materials and stuffed animals, which she often funds herself. To effectively distribute the comfort bags, she has partnered with Nancy Markle, county coordinator for the Keystone Family Alliance, a statewide organization dedicated to supporting foster families. This partnership allows for the efficient collection and distribution of the comfort bags to foster homes across the region.
Geary has already produced between 50 and 60 comfort bags, each crafted with unique fabrics and a label signifying that they are “Handmade with Love.” The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive, with numerous residents donating fabric, supplies, and stuffed animals to the cause.
“I believe every child deserves something new, something special that they can carry with them,” Geary asserted. For those interested in supporting this project, either through donations or by learning to sew, Geary encourages them to reach out via her Facebook page or contact the Keystone Family Alliance for more information about drop-off locations and volunteer opportunities.
Through initiatives like Geary’s, communities can play a crucial role in improving the experiences of children in foster care, ensuring they feel valued and loved during transformative moments in their lives.
