The Chaos Closet foster family resource based in West Plains has donated 10 First Night Kits to help smooth what can be a turbulent transition for some toddlers placed into care in the 37th Children’s Division.
The kits include hygiene and comfort necessities tailored to the needs of typical toddlers, and are the first donation in a series of such contributions intended to make last-minute foster placements a little less chaotic. Future kits will be assembled for older children, as well.
“I know firsthand how chaotic the first night of welcoming a child into your home can be,” said The Chaos Closet founder DeeDee Button, whose own children came into her home through foster placement. “That’s why, with the help of amazing donors in the community, as well as the Hilburn-Vaini McDonald’s franchise, we are thrilled to be donating 10 First Night Kits to Children’s Division.”
Each kit is packed with hygiene items such as body wash, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and wipes, as well as a fleece blanket, Button explained. In addition, a gift certificate for a McDonald’s Happy Meal is included to make dinner that first night a little easier.
“The 37th Children’s Division is so thankful for these kits. It is important for children to have something clean and new, and that is theirs upon entering care,” said Circuit Manager Shawn Bentley with the division. “We are very thankful to The Chaos Closet for providing these to our children.”
“We are so excited to provide these kits to Children’s Division to distribute to foster families as they place a child in their home for the first time,” said Button. “These kits specifically are for the toddler-plus age group. We are currently working on First Night Kits for other ages as well.”
The Chaos Closet, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization was founded in 2019, born out of necessity when Button and her husband, Ed, took in a foster child on short notice and realized how difficult it could be to procure necessary items.
A fundraising drive enabled the purchase of a small storage shed in West Plains which has offered foster families within the 37th Judicial Circuit access to clothing, diapers, infant formula, and related essential items for three years. The Chaos Closet works in partnership with organizations such as The Diaper Resource Center of West Plains to make such items available.
In addition to the First Night Kits, The Chaos Closet is excited to present a foster parent playdate during National Foster Care Month, which is recognized in May.
All foster families in the 37th Circuit are invited to the organization’s first social event, which will take place at 11 a.m. May 15 in Butler Children’s Park in West Plains. The 37th Judicial Circuit includes Carter, Howell, Oregon and Shannon counties.
Donations to sponsor the purchase of bubbles, sidewalk chalk, jump ropes and/or hula hoops, pizza, soda, plates, cups and napkins are welcome and appreciated. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook, “Chaos Closet Presents: Foster Parent Day.”
To learn more about The Chaos Closet and how to support the creation of First Night Kits, email thechaosclosetwp@gmail.com or follow @thechaoscloset on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thechaoscloset).
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