Dozens of Hoosier foster children will receive backpacks full of books thanks to a recent Colts gameday Books for Youth collection drive.
The Indiana Department of Child Services this week announced the final totals: Fans donated $1,720 and nearly 600 books prior to the Colts vs. Jaguars game on Nov. 17.
“More than three dozen volunteers were able to collect more money than ever before thanks to the generosity of Colts fans,” DCS director Terry Stigdon said. “Everything that was collected will go toward helping the children in foster care have something to call their own.
The Books for Youth program is committed to placing backpacks filled with 25 age-appropriate books into the hands of all Indiana foster kids and teens. 2019 marks the 13th year the Indiana Department of Child Services, the Colts and Cargo Services have teamed up to host a game-day collection drive.
“This is such an incredible program,” said Steve Fugate, Cargo Services CFO. “Giving local foster kids backpacks full of books will encourage them to read while also giving them something that is truly theirs.”
Books for Youth, founded in 2006, provides backpacks of 25 new and gently used books to children in the Indiana foster care system. Since the program’s inception, almost 9,000 backpacks have been distributed.
About Indiana DCS: The Indiana Department of Child Services engages with families and collaborates with state, local and community partners to protect children from abuse and neglect and to provide child support services. Indiana Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline: 800.800.5556. Child Support Customer Service Kidsline: 800.840.8757 or 317.233.5437. www.in.gov/dcs