Foster children face challenges that are difficult for most to comprehend. One of these is lack of control over their lives. Some move from foster home to foster home many times.   

At any given time, there are approximately 99 children in foster care in St. Clair County and there are approximately 3,500 children in foster care throughout Alabama, according to the Alabama Children’s Policy Council.  

“Plastic garbage bags are what they (children) have to put their belongings in,” Laurie Mize Henderson, Juvenile Dependency (Family Court) attorney said. “When you have to carry your life in a garbage bag, it sends a terrible message to the child that they deserve no better. To be blunt, it is demeaning and humiliating.”  

The Lighten the Load campaign was conceived and designed by Juvenile Dependency (Family Court) attorneys Laurie Mize Henderson and Jennifer Sellers  to provide each foster child in St. Clair County with a brand new, large, hard-sided, rolling piece of luggage that the children can call their own and protect what few possessions they have during their time in foster care.  

“This is an ongoing project, and the response so far has been amazing and humbling,” Mize said. “My last count is that we have recently surpassed the 150 mark. Our intent is to give a suitcase to each child currently in care and then to each child that is brought into care in the future.”  

New, large, hard-sided, rolling suitcases can be donated Laurie Mize Henderson’s office at 1906 Cogswell Avenue, Pell City or at Jennifer Seller’s office located at 1918 Cogswell Avenue, Pell City.  

“Foster children have so little and what they do have is precious to them. Help us help them!” said Mize.  

For more information about how you can donate, be involved, or with suggestions contact 205-338-0061 or 334-437-0303.