When foster children turn 18, they are shut out of the foster care system and no longer receive support because at that point they are legally adults. Foster Care to Success (FC2S) has been working since 1981 to provide a support system to new adults who have left the foster care system. FC2S is the oldest and largest national non-profit organization working with college bound foster youth. Annually, some 5,000 former foster care students turn to them for help.

Cards and cookies from home are important to college students. Sadly, few foster youth receive them; that is why FC2S developed the Care Package Program. Each school year, FC2S students receive three care packages to help them feel just like other college students.

The FC2S Care Package Program is an opportunity for individuals and organizations to give a little that means a lot. FC2S relies on businesses and charitable organizations to donate the items that fill their care packages. FC2S sends 7,500 care packages annually as a direct result of donations from sponsors. Donated items include school supplies, snacks, beach blankets, clothing and more. FC2S sends hundreds of additional items annually thanks to the generosity of book clubs, neighbors, student organizations and other groups involved in care package projects. Opening a box stuffed with goodies, having something to share with a roommate, and realizing that someone is thinking of them is just one of the many ways FC2S students feel supported.

In 2005 FC2S started the Red Scarf Project. They gather red knitted and crocheted scarves to provide to college students who have left the foster care system. These scarves are given to FC2S college students in their Valentine’s Day care packages.

Now through Feb. 6, the Pennsauken Free Public Library invites the Pennsauken community to join their effort to encourage and support FC2S college students by participating in the Care Package Program and/or the Red Scarf Project.

Little things make a BIG difference in the life of a college student, and sometimes they make ALL the difference. Be a part of the difference and stop by the library to drop off an item or two for a care package from the attached list or pick up the guidelines to knit or crochet a Red Scarf either at home or at the library on Wednesdays, Jan. 21, Jan. 28, and Feb. 4, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Bring your needle or hook and we’ll provide red yarn, tea and hot cocoa. We look forward to seeing you!

Foster Care to Success suggested care package items to donate:

• Chap sticks
• Hand lotion
• Protein bars
• Body wash/bar soap
• Poof ball (Loofah)/wash cloth
• Tissues/Handkerchiefs
• Pens/Pencils
• Markers/Highlighters
• Erasers/White Out
• Frisbee
• Hackie sack
• Tea bags
• Instant hot chocolate packets
• Instant hot soup
• Microwaveable popcorn
• Non-perishable sweet treats
• Personal note of encouragement
• Gift card to a national chain pharmacy
• Gift card to a national chain supermarket
• Donation towards care package shipping cost