Alsip Company Collecting Items For Kids In Foster Care

ALSIP, IL — In the wake of the death of 5-year-old AJ Freund, who police say was beaten and buried by his parents, interest in fostering children has grown. People can make a difference in the wake of the tragedy by becoming foster families or supporting children who are in foster care in other ways.

American Scrap Metal Services in Alsip is “stuffing the duffel” with donations for kids entering foster care. The duffel bags are provided by Let It Be Us, a nonprofit child welfare agency dedicated to the adoption and education of children within the Illinois foster care system.

Many times children leave their home with a small bag of their belongings or nothing at all. “StuffTheDuffel endeavors to help children feel special by providing them with some useful items to ease the rough transition to foster care.

New and gently used items to consider include:

Teens — Reusable water bottles, writing utensils, composition notebooks/journals, basic school supplies, underwear, socks, blankets, pillows and toiletries (deodorant, face wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.)

Children — Stuffed animals, books, small toys, coloring books/crayons, blankets, underwear, socks and PJs.

Babies — Diapers, baby clothes, rattles, teething toys/rings, pacifiers, blankets.

New and gently used items can be dropped off in the receiving/cashier area at American Scrap Metal, 3837 W 127th Street, Alsip, through the week of May 20. The duffels will be delivered to Let It Be Us after Memorial Day.

For questions or to arrange for your business, place of worship or school to be a drop-off location, contact Alicia Wehby, a Crystal Lake foster mom who is organizing a #StuffTheDuffel drive in honor of the slain boy, by email at AliciaWheby@gmail.com.

To arrange a drop-off at American Scrap Metal, call 708-239-0101.