LAKE COUNTY ? Totes for Teens, a program that has been serving the underprivileged youth of the Lake County community since 2004, wrapped up its effort this year with a packing party in Hidden Valley Lake. About 12,000 items were sorted and divided among the 112 tote bags, which will be distributed to children in the Child Protective Services (CPS) program.
“We had 43 people stuffing totes for hours in Hidden Valley Lake on Nov. 30 and a total almost 12,000 items were sorted, divided and made ready for delivery,” Cheri Johnson, founder of the Totes for Teens program said. “We had a large overage this year, which we donated to clients at New Beginnings in Clearlake.”
Johnson said she was inspired to initiate the program after hearing a comment from a teenage girl. “I was in Walmart and the girl that was in front of me turned around and made a statement to me asking why people only buy gift for little kids. She was in the foster care program,” Johnson said. “I did some research and found that there was a need for donations to teenagers in our county.”
Johnson said the program began as a joint venture with other local businesses and individuals. The venture later broke into two separate programs and in 2006, she said, efforts became focused on teenagers in the CPS program.
“The emphasis of this is when these kids have to go to foster homes they usually don”t get to bring very much with them and they have nothing to carry their belongings in except paper bags,” Johnson said. “The Totes for Teens program was initiated so that they would have something that is theirs.”
Johnson said in 2006, volunteers stuffed tote bags. In 2007, they stuffed backpacks and in 2008, duffle bags were filled. “This year we provided duffle bags for the girls and sports bags for the boys,” she said. “Each bag is filled with approximately 40 to 50 items that include a blanket, pillow case, toiletry supplies, school supplies, socks, shirts, games and snacks. The bags always contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, bars of soap and hair products. In addition to what”s in the totes, we also supply three to four Christmas cards that they can send to whomever they want. They love that.”
Johnson said last year volunteers began supplying and wrapping gifts for recipients” parents as well. “This year we wrapped more than 300 presents for parents,” she said.
Also included in this year”s totes is a new bed pillow, plenty of extra clothing, all-weather jackets and homemade gifts for younger siblings. “We had such a large delivery this year that Mark Hollingsworth of Bekin”s Moving Company donated his services to deliver all our donations,” Johnson said. “We are especially thankful for Joe Cameron, of Cobb, who continues to support teens with the coats and vests he”s donated for the boys the past two years.”
Johnson said she is looking to supplement the Totes for Teens program with “Christmas in July” to benefit clients and families of New Beginnings. For more information regarding the Totes for Teens program, e-mail Cheri Johnson at totesforteens@mchsi.com.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
