This holiday season, Ashland City attorney Crystal Morgan hopes to provide necessity-filled suitcases to Cheatham County children entering the foster care system. Morgan, along with the support of Bethlehem Free Will Baptist Church, hopes to collect 50 suitcases for children in need.
Between now and December 20, gender neutral suitcase donations will be accepted at Morgan & Associates, PLLC located at 108 N. Main Street in Ashland City Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Carry-on sized suitcases should be filled with new and unopened necessities like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, lotion, tooth brushes, toothpaste, stuffed animals, blankets, and loofahs.
Other items needed by DCS are diapers, baby wipes, and feminine hygiene products. No used items will be accepted, and per the safety rules of DCS, razors are prohibited.
As a family law attorney now in her seventh year, Morgan has seen countless heart-breaking scenarios where children are forced to pack their belongings into garbage bags as they are thrust into new environments, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. The suitcase project aims to give these children a sense of security and something to call their own when they may feel overwhelmingly displaced.
“I cannot imagine what these kids are going through, to be ripped out of their home and taken away to live with complete strangers and their entire world turned upside down. Organizing a donation drive is the least I can do,” says Morgan, a strong child advocate. “I am humbled that God put me in such a position to see this very real, very raw need in my community and am grateful that I can do something to help these kids.”
According to Morgan, Cheatham County currently has 37 children within the foster care system.
If you have any questions regarding this project, please call (615) 246-1193 or email crystal.m.morgan@gmail.com.
