By Lori BODNAR, intern

The Crescenta Valley Lions Club is holding its 12th annual Kases for Kids drive on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Ralphs market in the 2600 block of Foothill Boulevard at Raymond Avenue. Members of the Leo Club, the youth arm of the Lions Club at Crescenta Valley High School, will be assisting with the drive as well. The Lions Club will be collecting donations of new items, such as backpacks, small suitcases, toiletries, school supplies, stuffed animals, and blankets, that will go into a backpack or small suitcase to help children in the foster care system transition to a foster home.

Kimberlee Sandoval is one of the members of the CV Lions Club.

“By supplying a few basic necessities, school supplies, and small fun items like coloring books, Kases for Kids can help provide stability in an otherwise tumultuous time in the lives of children entering the foster system,” she said. “This donation drive can help ensure that these children are prepared with items they may need and brings comfort in knowing that they are loved and will be cared for.”

The CV Lions Club partners with the Los Angeles Dept. of Children’s Services to collect items for children who are in need within the foster care system.

In response to the pandemic, the Lions Club has instituted some changes in the annual Kases for Kids drive to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

“This year we are asking for new items only,” Sandoval said. “We are setting up the drop-off area differently to minimize contact. Masks will be required for persons dropping off and for our members.” 

Last year, the Crescenta Valley Lions Club was able to fill 280 backpacks with supplies for kids in the foster care system.

There are over 60,000 children in California within the foster care system. Foster care is a temporary arrangement in which adults provide for care of the children whose birthparents are unable to care for them. Placement is usually arranged by the Los Angeles County Dept. of Children and Family Services. While in foster care, children will go to school, live with a foster family, and receive medical care and social services. A social worker will regularly check in on them to see how they are adjusting. Once care issues have been resolved, foster children can be reunified with their birthparents or other family members.

The Lions Club Kases for Kids drive helps kids in foster care transition into a new environment with their foster family.

“We thank the community for their generous support especially during these challenging times,” said Sandoval. “Upcoming events after the Kases for Kids event will be a holiday toy drive to support the same group.”

Those who want to donate after the Kases for Kids drive can send monetary donations to the CV Lions Club, P.O. Box 708, Verdugo City, CA 91046 or can contact Kimberlee Sandoval at (630) 788-6591 via voice or text to make arrangements, or email Lions91214@gmail.com and members will arrange a pickup of any donations for Kases for Kids.