Trouble the Dog Toys & Books Given to 77 Kids in Foster Care

On December 5, 2020, the Salem Rotary sponsored a heartwarming event that helped to deliver "Trouble the Dog" plush toys and children’s books to children in foster care through the Cape Ann Department of Children and Families (DCF). Sheila Duncan, co-creator of the Trouble the Dog character was joined by one of her “top” Trouble fans, nine-year-old Darius Noonan, who personally raised funds to help supply Trouble plush toys and books to children in foster care.

Darius was adopted from foster care by Kevin and Maria Noonan. While in foster care, Darius received such great comfort from a gift of a Trouble the Dog plush toy and storybook, that he decided to start a campaign to help give Trouble the Dog plush toys to other children in foster care.

The Salem Rotary donated large gifts to each child and Bags of Hope donated the duffle bags -which had each foster child’s name embroidered on them. Children and families arrived parade-style in cars that lined into Salem’s Kernwood Country Club to accept the donations.

Taking part in the deliveries are, left to right, Sheila Duncan, co-creator, Trouble the Dog, Darius Noonan, Carla King, Department of Children and Families, and “Santa.” The Cape Ann Department of Children and Families supports several cities and towns, including Middleton, Danvers, Marblehead, Salem, Beverly, Hamilton, Wenham, Essex, Peabody, Manchester, Rockport, and Gloucester.