Junior Chamber International Santa Clarita hosted its inaugural “Carry Hope” project with the help of Scouting America Cub Scout Pack 527 to pack 80 bags for foster youth at North Park Elementary School.
Arnold Bryant and Kyle Duffy, co-chairs of the event held last week, originally set out to make 50 bags, but ended up with 80 – surpassing their expectations.
Bryant said the idea came from the 8-year-old son of JCI Santa Clarita President Kari McCoy. Her son, Preston, came up with the idea after he learned about his father’s experiences in the foster care system.
“He (overheard) the story of how his dad was removed from his home, given a trash bag to bring his items, and then not giving him enough time, or having the compassion to let him get the things he needed. He only had five minutes, here’s trash, and then that followed him through several occasions in life,” Bryant said.
He added that they decided they wanted to do something about foster youth since Preston was keen on helping others.
Bryant said that it felt surreal to see how successful the project was and see how good it felt to do something for the cause.
“I know that our work is not done. There’s more kids that need more resources than a little bit that we are giving. So, we’re going to try to expand as much as we can. And I just hope that no matter where these bags end up, that the person that is getting it is basically getting like a warm hug from someone,” Bryant said.
Duffy said the bags include a stress ball, handwritten cards, a “chubby blob seal pillow” because everyone needs a friend, a blanket for warmth, and a dental kit.
Duffy said that Bryant was adamant about everything being cute.
“If it’s going to make these kids feel fuzzy and loved and welcomed and supported by the community. So, we discussed a lot of different items that could go in the bags,” Duffy said.
He added that he hopes people who see them doing this project will set their goals even higher next year.
“And as far as the idea that we put 80 bags together, when it comes to these foster kids, it means that there are 80 less kids that are going to be given a black trash bag and told, ‘Hey, put all your stuff in here, we need to leave,’ so for them to have something that is theirs. (It) means a lot to them, and that directly means a lot to me,” Duffy said.
Danielle Reeves, cub master of Cub Scout Pack 527, said this project was another way to teach the Scouts their Scout law.
“Part of our Scout law is that a Scout is helpful, and the Scout is kind. And we really want to help the boys learn this by participating in the community. Fostering a sense of community at such a young age helps them become more likely to continue that activity, and that act of service in the community going forward. So, we’re really trying to establish that at a young age,” Reeves said.
She added that she hopes the cub Scouts take away from the experience that gestures do not always have to be grand, but can be something small and something fun.
