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574-505-0813
803 E. 9th St. Fall Decoration Packages Available Call Becky Mahoney 574-529-3266
By Appointment Only 9581 E. 100 N., Akron, IN 46910 E-mail: tom@tombauterscpa.com
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Wednesday, September 20, 2023
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Each year thousands of children are taken away from their homes and placed into the foster care system as a result of abuse or neglect. They often have nothing with them except the clothes on their back. Akron Las Donas is able to provide some of those children with “Care Cases” to help them get started in their new homes and schools. Each Care Case the Las Donas is able to purchase includes a suitcase, pillow, blanket, toiletries and clothing. These gifts can provide a child with a sense of comfort as they settle into their new environment. Las Donas is Spanish for “the ladies.” It is a “lady’s club” that has deep roots in Akron. The club was established in 1957 and remains active today. “We’re just a local ladies club,” said Brenda Ross, a member of the club. “We have ten members right now, and we just kind of do things for the community.” The club meets once a month, alternating the location with a different member’s home each time. They talk about issues in Akron that they may be able to help in some way. They all present their ideas to the group and then vote on which programs to choose. “About four years ago, Akron Elementary School Principal Chrissy Mills saw a need for foster children coming through the school system,” said Ross. “They were showing up with nothing.” Statistically speaking, across the nation, over 700 children enter the foster care system every day. An average of 23,000 young people age out of foster care every year in the US without permanent connections to a
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stable family. “The kids have no belongngings, they are just scooped out as of their homes,” added Las er. Donas member Angie Capper. ag “They’re given a trash bag an to grab whatever they can m (when they are pulled from ),” the place they called home),” ed said Ross. “They are moved he from place to place with the trash bag.” m “We just want to give them ir something they can call their own,” said Capper. “We givee d them a suitcase, a pillow and a blanket.” nThe children receive gender appropriate undergar-s, ments, socks and toiletries, along with a Walmart giftt w card to “give them a new n start.” The foster children come from as far as Elkhartt County and South Bend. Las Donas also sponsors the ‘Firecracker 5K’ run and the ‘Cute Baby Contest’ every Fourth of July in Akron. “We do other stuff in the community too,” said Capper. “We give to the food bank and we have a high school scholarship.” “Children who have learned that they are unimportant receive new things of their own,” said $.521 21 $1*(/6 ³ 3 Dr. Suzanne Friedman 3LFWX LFWXUUHG HG IU I RP WWKKH OH O IIW $NURQ /DV 'RQDV &OXE PHP about a similar, nation- EHUV $QJLH &DSSHU DQG %UHQGD 5RVV 3KRWR E\ -RH 6LFLOLDQR wide program. “Toiletries and dental supplies communicate nity fundraisers including Pam- where we can,” concluded Ross. the importance of self-care and pered Chef Bingo and an annual The upcoming “Autumn in Akself-worth.” Celebrity Basketball game. ron Charity Car, Truck & Bike The Marcus Hackworth and The Akron Las Donas Club Show,” which will take place SatScott Sechrist Memorial Scholar- annually awards $750 scholar- urday, Sept. 30, in Pike Memorial ship was established in 1998 by ships to Tippecanoe Valley High Park, will benefit the Care Cases the Las Donas Club to honor the School seniors who participate program. The show is a familymemory of two young men who in sports, excel in academics and friendly event, with proceeds goattended the Tippecanoe Valley serve their community. ing directly to Las Donas. For School Corporation. The scholar“Basically we find the needs more information about the show, ship is funded by many commu- (of the community) and help out visit autumninakroncarshow.com.
KITE & ULERICK &
574-223-6307 Family Owned & Operated
Residential & Commercial ~ Licensed & Insured ~
Est. 1985
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