Backpack Drive for Foster Kids Starts Monday: What's Up

If you're doing some back to school shopping this weekend, pick up some extra supplies for kids in need. The YMCA will hold a backpack drive at its Eastside locations.

The YMCA will be holding backpack drives for foster children and other kids in need at the Bellevue Family, Lake Heights and Coal Creek locations starting Monday, in honor of a teenager in the foster system who died in a car accident.

The YMCA posted more information about how a backpack can make a difference to a foster child:

“When Nicole was placed in foster care, she was taken from school and not allowed to return home. All she had was her backpack, “ says Joan Zefkeles, Nicole’s aunt. “Unfortunately, this is typical when kids are removed from unsafe homes.  Nicole and others like her have to say goodbye to friends, family, teachers and activities, usually without any notice. They are often separated from siblings and may be placed in several temporary living arrangements. That’s why a backpack can be so special—it’s the one thing these kids can take with them.” 

Nicole Lehtinen became a foster child at 6 when her mother could no longer care for her, according to the YMCA. As she entered foster care, all she had from home was her backpack, according to the nonprofit. Lehtinen died in a car accident at age 16 in 2008. 

Community members can support the drive by donating new backpacks and school supplies to Eastside YMCA’s beginning Aug 5-23 at the Coal Creek, Bellevue and Lake Heights locations. The backpacks collected will be distributed by the Kirkland Teen Union Building and the Community in Schools of Renton.

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