By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
They had not eaten all day. It was Halloween. If they could just make it until dark, they could go trick-or-treating.
So hungry. Candy — something sweet in their bellies.
It is a true story of three children removed from their home in Ellis County.
The story touched the hearts of the members of the Hays Wonder Women League, who will soon be launching a project to distribute duffle bags with food and necessities to children removed from their homes in Ellis County.
"We think that in Ellis County, that is reality," Rhonda Meyerhoff, WWL co-chair, said. "That is reality for those three children. This is for those children and others like them. We want to let them know someone cares about you."
Many things are on hold right now, including acts of charity.
However, the Wonder Women League hopes to launch the Suitcase Project as soon as social distancing restrictions are lifted.
The WWL Suitcase Project seeks to supply law enforcement and social services officials with duffle bags that contain items including new pajamas, underwear and socks, fleece blankets, snacks, a stuffed animal, personal hygiene products, McDonald's meal certificates, note of support from WWL and a note from a former foster child, as well as a small toy such as a deck of cards, fidget spinner or Rubik's Cube.
Diapers, formula and wipes will be available as needed for infants. Many children are transported out of county, and this will give the officials supplies to care for the children in route.
Bottled water was donated by Pepsi, eyeSMILE donated dental hygiene items and Color/Cuts Salon donated combs.
The bags will be coordinated for appropriate gender and age of the children.
Many children are removed from homes with no clothing, except what they are wearing, Nancy Jeter, WWL co-chairwoman, said.
Those who are allowed to grab a few personal items, usually have to put their belongings in trash bags, she said. The duffle bags will also have pull-out totes that are meant to replace these trash bags and be a means of carrying children's personal belongings.
"In those bags, there is going to be a letter — one from a little boy, who is now a man, who was in foster care," Jeter said. "It is the most heart-warming letter.
"It is about, 'I was in foster care, and it was scary and it was terrible and I know what you are going through, but you will get through this.' "
Girls will receive a letter from a former girl in foster care.
Meyerhoff said she hopes the bags will not only be a help and comfort for the children but provide assistance to the foster families.
"Not all of these foster care parents live five minutes away from where they can pick up diapers, wipes and formula," she said.
The ribbon cutting on the project was set for March 19 but was postponed when social distancing recommendations were put in place.
Jeter Law Firm has volunteered to help assemble the bags and offered storage space for bags waiting to be distributed to law enforcement and social services.
The WWL wants to make the Suitcase Project a continuing project. Startup cost is estimated at $12,000. with an annual maintenance cost of $5,000 to $6,000.
The WWL received a $5,000 grant from the Heartland Community Foundation to launch the project.
Prior to stay-at-home orders going into place, the WWL was seeking sponsorships for the program.
"This project will be molded and manipulated as it evolves," Meyerhoff said, "to find out what that perfect solutions is."
You can learn more about the Wonder Women League on the United Way of Ellis County website. The individual annual membership donation starts at $50. You can join and donate online.