Community shows love for foster kids this Valentine's Day with donations

Lou Whitmire, Mansfield News Journal
·2 min read

Richland County Children Services and the Mansfield United Lions Club’s Valentine Card Drive has surpassed last year’s total of 4,700 items with this year’s collection of 8,156 items. This marks the second year for the project that was created to show foster youths love with Valentine’s Day cards, according to Brigitte Coles, community engagement specialist at the agency.

RC Children Services & Mansfield United Lions Club’s Valentine Card Drive surpassed last year’s total of 4,700 items. This year’s collection is 8,156. The project was created to show foster youths love with Valentine’s Day cards, says Nikki Harless, director.
RC Children Services & Mansfield United Lions Club’s Valentine Card Drive surpassed last year’s total of 4,700 items. This year’s collection is 8,156. The project was created to show foster youths love with Valentine’s Day cards, says Nikki Harless, director.

The Mansfield United Lions Club and RCCS collected Valentine’s cards, candy, books and dolls for children in foster care ages 0 – 6, 7-12 and 13-18, from Jan. 10 through Feb. 9. Cards could be handmade, or store brought.

Foster kids in Richland County will get Valentine's Day cards from Richland County Children Services and the Mansfield United Lions Club. Here's a look at some of the donations.
Foster kids in Richland County will get Valentine's Day cards from Richland County Children Services and the Mansfield United Lions Club. Here's a look at some of the donations.

“The community came together to make a difference and Richland County Children Services is thankful for the support of this project. In Ohio, there are more than 16,000 youths in foster care and unfortunately, many of them do not have the chance to be part of Valentine exchanges. The Valentine’s Day Card Project gives the community an opportunity to show children in foster care that they are loved, appreciated and not alone,” said Nikki Harless, executive director, Richland County Children Services.

Here is an example of the Valentine's Day cards donated to Richland County Children Services to show foster kids love this Valentine's Day.
Here is an example of the Valentine's Day cards donated to Richland County Children Services to show foster kids love this Valentine's Day.

Coles said, “The outpouring of love and support was wonderful! We received cards from Stinger Harley-Davidson in Medina, Ohio, handmade dolls from The Giving Doll in Norton, Ohio and Golden Corral restaurant in Ontario collected cards from patrons to support the drive. People from all over Richland County and out of state once again donated cards including families, schools, churches, businesses, public officials, colleges and correctional institutions. RCCS is especially grateful for the support of our Mayor Jodie Perry and the City of Mansfield Parks Department for encouraging all our residents to participate in this project and make this an extra special Valentine’s Day for our foster youth.”

Richland County Children Services (RCCS) mission is to lead our community in assuring the safety, well-being, and permanency of children at risk of abuse and neglect.

RCCS encourages all individuals to invest in the lives of children and to provide them with unconditional love, support, guidance, and every available resource to ensure their health and well-being.

You can make a difference in a child's life! If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, contact Richland County Children Services at 419-774-4100 or go to richlandcountychildrenservices.org.

For more information about the Valentine cards project contact Brigitte Coles, Community Engagement Specialist at 419-774-4168 or brigitte.coles@jfs.ohio.gov.

lwhitmir@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Director Nikki Harless thanks community for donations of Valentine's