I spoke with Linda Lukasik, who is the director of TLC Program, Kids in Distress. She had received our package for Ashleigh that included: suitcases and a Beanie Kid, with a spare set of Ty Gear clothes and Sherbert the Pillow Pal. According to Linda, Ashleigh had not even opened the package. Linda said there is a court order from the district attorney stating that Ashleigh is not to receive anything for her 6th birthday from any outside source! Linda said she has only two choices: return the package or possibly give it to Ashleigh if she leaves.

After speaking with Maggie Cook, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's assistant, Ashleigh will be able to have the package we sent to her for her birthday.

Thank you to each individual who assisted with this project.

We collected $125. to purchase this for Ashleigh and with shipping costs via UPS Ground, the total cost was 173.00. No child should have to be taken from their home when they are not the one who did anything wrong, but for now, that is how the system attempts to deal with the problem, perceived or otherwise, at hand.

I grew up poor but my stuff was very important to me. There is no dignity in throwing your most prized possessions; your only possessions, in a garbage bag.

While we work for the increased safety and well being of children who are in residential foster care, they could use some encouragement, dignity and HOPE. Hope4KidZ, Inc. would like to be able to give all children in foster care a suitcase with the child's first name on it. This was Ashleigh's birthday so it is probably a little more than what we can normally do. The suitcases will always have the child's name painted on it, at the very least. We had five individuals who made this gift to Ashleigh possible.