Bags of Love

Bags of Love, may cause a person to wonder about the nature of the presentation. 

However, Irena Lipovsky from the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Prince George, clears up that impression quickly, when she talks passionately about a program she and a number of her fellow members got involved in about 2008.

Irena and her people learned about a number of "Foster Children" that were being taken from their homes through the local child protection services program, and relocated in a new and strange environment to live as "Foster Children."

This experience is extremely upsetting to young people, some in their very early lives, ranging from a child of 18 months up to their teens.

Often these young people are removed during the night, with nothing but the cloths on their backs.  They are frightened and very alone.  Their parents may have just been arrested and taken away, or worse.

A child orphaned by their parents, under these extreme conditions, often loose everything, toys, clothing, personal items, and even family pictures.  These young people are in need, as they have become victims, through no fault of their own.

The "Bags of Love" is a program designed to help erase the transition for children when they have been removed from their home.

The contents of each bag are very basic, but very special.  They include: a kid sized handmade comforter, a soft cuddly toy, some personal care items such as a comb, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste and such.  A couple of toys are also included for the appropriate age and gender of the child.

The "Bags of Love" are delivered to the local agencies charged with the removal of these children from their homes, to be given to each child when they are moved due to abuse or neglect.

To date, the Program has delivered over 600 "Bags of Love" in Prince George and surrounding communities, including Quesnel, Vanderhoof, Fort St James and Mackenzie.

The program is not funded other than through various fund raising efforts, donations and volunteers.

Volunteers are always required to assist with sewing comforters and duffle bags, or donation of money to purchase needed items.  All gifts are tax deductible and go directly to help children in the local communities.

Irena can be contacted at 250-564-8967

Rotarian Karen Toombs thanked Irena for her presentation to the Nechako Rotary Club with another donation to our Rotary Polio Plus Program. 

Karen Toombs is also involved with the "Bags of Love" program through the Pathfinders in Prince George, and will gladly receive donations and provide additional information as required.

Thank you Karen and Irena for a very caring and giving program in our community.