16.8.29 mahoning county children services pioneers donation

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELESE
AUGUST 26, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 26, 2016
CONTACT: Jennifer T. Kollar
Public Information Officer
PHONE: 330.941.8810
EMAIL: jennifer.kollar@jfs.ohio.gov
NEWS RELEASE
AT&T’s Pioneers with Rep. John Boccieri to Present and Donate 100 Overnight
Suitcases for Mahoning County Children Services Foster Care Department
When: Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Where: Mahoning County Children Services
222 West Federal Plaza, Third Floor, Youngstown, Ohio
[YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO]-- The AT&T Pioneers, Youngstown Chapter, along with special guest, Representative John Boccieri, will deliver
and present 100 overnight suitcases to Mahoning County Children Services on Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 10:00 a.m. at Mahoning
County Children Services, 222 West Federal Street, Third Floor, Youngstown, Ohio 44503.
AT&T Pioneers is a network of volunteers made up of retired and active employees who are committed to their communities. “The
Ohio Chapter works hard throughout the year, volunteering time and funding to carefully screened 501c3 charities in our state. As long
as there’s a need-- no matter how large or small-- Pioneers answer the call for help in every way imaginable,” states Steve Kristan,
AT&T Director of External and Legislative Affairs.
The AT&T Pioneers donated or collected items and assembled the suitcases as a project to benefit the Foster Care Department at
Mahoning County Children Services. The suitcases have child friendly themes including “Hello Kitty” and popular “Frozen” movie
characters, contain items that a child can use when they are placed in foster care. “The AT&T Pioneers in Youngstown realize how
precious our children are and saw an opportunity to make their world a little better. We applaud the employees at the Mahoning
County Children Services Foster Care Unit for their dedicated service to our community and are honored to assist in this way,” adds
Kristan.
Representative John Boccieri along with representatives from Mahoning County Children Services will be on hand to receive the bags
and thank the AT&T Pioneers for their tremendous generosity and support of Mahoning County children. “These suitcases from the
AT&T Pioneers Youngstown will be extremely helpful to many children in our area,” said State Representative John Boccieri. “They
contain blankets and toiletries and I want to thank the AT&T Pioneers Youngstown and the Mahoning County Children Services Foster
Care Unit for their commitment to our community.”
The idea to provide overnight suitcase/totes/backpacks was a much needed and creative solution that many agencies adopted
nationally to help combat placing children’s belongings in plastic or trash bags who come into foster care on short notice.
“When children come into care because of child abuse or neglect, many arrive on short notice and with only the clothing on their back.
Often, their belongings are placed in plastic bags or trash bags. The suitcases and overnight bags help comfort and soothe children by
providing them with personal items such as blankets, toiletries, a stuffed animal to cuddle, new pajamas or even school supplies to
ease the transition into a foster home. The suitcases also give children a sense of pride and feeling of ownership,” explains Jennifer T.
Kollar, Public Information Officer, Mahoning County Children Services. Also, Kollar notes that the suitcases represent more than just a
collection of items and a way to carry them – they are a tangible reminder that there are people who care especially at a time when
children feel most afraid, alone and vulnerable.
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