News Summary
The Wrapped in Love Blanket Drive in Bowling Green has added four new drop-off locations for residents to donate blankets for foster children. Kicking off on January 29, 2025, the drive aims to collect new blankets until February 14, 2025, addressing the urgent need for comfort items among the 8,301 children in foster care in Kentucky. StepStone Family & Youth Service is managing this initiative, emphasizing the importance of community support and the need for more foster homes.
Making a Difference: Local Blanket Drive for Foster Children Expands
Bowling Green is buzzing with excitement as the community rallies together for a noble cause through a heartwarming initiative known as the Wrapped in Love Blanket Drive. This year, the drive has made a remarkable leap by adding four new drop-off locations for generous residents to donate new blankets for foster children. From now until February 14, 2025, you can show your support at various sites around town.
What’s New This Year?
Mark your calendars! The blanket drive kicked off on January 29, 2025, and it’s got everyone excited. The additional drop-off locations include:
- Lisa Rice Library: 1225 State St.
- Bob Kirby Branch: 175 Iron Skillet Court
- Davis & Sons: 304 Gordon Ave.
- Southern Lanes Bowling Alley: 2710 Scottsville Road
If you’re in the mood to donate but prefer to stop by a familiar place, you can also drop off your contributions at StepStone Family & Youth Service’s Bowling Green office located at 1300 Andrea St., Suite 204.
Why Blankets Matter
Every blanket is more than just a soft cover; it’s a little piece of love sent out into the world. For many children in foster care, items they can call their own are scarce. This is where the beauty of the blanket drive truly shines. Blankets provide much-needed comfort for these children, along with a gentle reminder that the community truly cares for them.
StepStone Family & Youth Service manages this wonderful initiative, ensuring that all donated blankets find their way to licensed foster homes across a sprawling 20-county service region, encompassing much of Warren County. And, each donated blanket is accompanied by a personalized note filled with supportive messages like “You’re loved” and “We hope this brings you warmth and comfort”—what a lovely touch!
What to Donate
For those wishing to be part of this extraordinary cause, it’s important to know that new blankets of any type, such as throw or fleece, are eagerly accepted. It’s worth noting that each foster youth is entitled to receive one blanket as a part of this drive, extending all the way up to the age of 21. Some blankets are even set aside for incoming children.
However, currently, fewer than 10 blankets remain in stock at StepStone. This alarming shortage is mostly due to the increased number of children needing care. The limited availability of foster homes means that dozens of referral requests for children are turned away every single day. As of now, the state of Kentucky is caring for a staggering 8,301 children in out-of-home placements, with 1,141 of those children located in the Two Rivers region, which includes our beloved Warren County.
The Call for More Foster Homes
StepStone is actively seeking to recruit more foster homes right here in Bowling Green and the surrounding counties to help meet the growing demand for children in need of care. This call to the community is urgent, as they continue their mission to create a supportive network for our region’s most vulnerable young ones. You can stand up and make a difference; every blanket and every home counts!
So, if you’re feeling inspired and have a new blanket to spare, why not drop it off at one of the designated locations? Join in the drive and show your support! The children in our community need us now more than ever.
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Additional Resources
- WBKO: State Report Releases Findings on Foster Children
- WNKY: Introduction to Foster Parenting by SAFY
- MSN: Kentucky Faces Mounting Foster Care Crisis
- WBKO: Foster House Inc. Opens First Home in Bowling Green
- Beech Tree News: Deeds and Courthouse News
Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER
The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
