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Organization seeks to serve foster care families

Foster children in Cleveland County now have a new resource. Least of These Carolinas (LOTC), an organization that started in Gaston County, has expanded services into Cleveland and other neighboring counties to provide a source of hope to children entering the foster care system.
"Our largest program in Cleveland County is the Bag of Hope Program," says Landon Bailey, LOTC special projects director.
A "Bag of Hope" is a duffel bag filled with a variety of items and given to a child in foster care.
"When the child comes into foster care we are given that child's first name and a list of items they need or want," says Bailey. Each bag is specifically designed for that particular child and includes an age-appropriate Bible and a special note from an LOTC volunteer.
"Our goal is to get these bags ready within a week of a child coming into care," says Bailey. "These bags are just a start in restoring hope and giving back a piece of what the child has lost."
Local foster families and anyone interested in learning more about LOTC are encouraged to attend a special event called "Night of Hope" at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018 from 6:30-9 p.m. The event costs $25 per ticket and includes a buffet-style meal, a silent auction and live musical entertainment, along with keynote speaker Dr. John DeGarmo, an international foster care expert and consultant.
"Guests will also have the opportunity to hear the background story of our organization told by those we have directly affected: foster-care youth and foster-care parents," says Bailey.
Least of These Carolinas was formed in the fall of 2012 when Susanna Kavanaugh and Michelle Buchanan united to be a voice for a child in foster care.
"They realized shortly thereafter that God had brought them together not for one child, but for many," says Bailey. "These women both have a passion and a heart for the hurting children and families involved in foster care."
In March 2013, the Least of These Gaston Inc. was founded, and in May 2015 the organization began doing business as Least of These Carolinas as the group expanded its reach into other counties.
For more information about LOTC, visit the group's web site at www.lotcarolinas.com. Anyone interested in attending the event should call the LOTC office at 704-215-4344.

By April Hoyle Shauf

Special to Community First Media


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