Optimist Club collects comfort items for children in crisis care

EVERYONE NEEDS THEIR STUFF-Volunteers organize donations to fill MyStuff bags for abused or neglected children. From left are Agoura Hills Optimist Club President George Annino, Diane Neill and Janeen Holmes with the MyStuff Bags Foundation, and Kameron Johnson from the Optimists Club. The Agoura Hills Optimist Club is teaming up with the MyStuff Bags Foundation in the hopes of giving abused, neglected and abandoned children a reason to smile.

With its "You Can Make a Difference" campaign, the Optimist Club is asking residents to donate new toothbrushes and toothpaste to children who are entering crisis care.

Since 1919, Optimist International, the umbrella group under which all Optimist Clubs fall, has dedicated its services to initiating positive projects that provide a helping hand to youth, according to the organization's website.

"We want to show people that getting involved really does make a difference," said George Annino, president of the Agoura Hills Optimist Club.

Since 1999, MyStuff Bags has donated duffel bags filled with comfort items and toiletries to more than 285,000 children across America.

"When children enter foster care they are often removed from their homes without any of their belongings," said Janeen Holmes, executive director of the MyStuff Bags Foundation. "We attempt to give them comfort and some belongings."

Each bag contains gifts such as crayons, stuffed animals and journals, and an array of basics including a blanket made by local children and a toiletry bag packed with lip balm, shampoo, soap, combs, toothbrush and toothpaste. All items are new, and nonviolent in nature.

"Small toiletries, such as the ones found in hotels, are great because they easily fit inside the toiletry bags included in every kit," Holmes said.

The Optimist Club has already collected 200 toothbrushes and hopes to reach the 2,000 mark by the end of its drive.

"Not only are we hoping to help the kids by giving them toothbrushes, we also want to make the community aware of this great foundation," said Kameron Johnson, secretary/ treasurer for the Agoura Hills Optimist Club.

People interested in donating new toothbrushes and toothpaste can bring the items to five drop-off locations. Drop-off spots in Agoura Hills are at the

Village Center, First Federal Bank and Postal Annex. Oak Park residents can bring donations to Bean Scene.

The Do-it Center will be accept donations in the Westlake/ Thousand Oaks area.

The charity drive is scheduled to run until June 15.

"The MyStuff Bags Foundation really appreciates groups like the Optimist Club that come

forth to help the children we serve," Holmes said. "By working together, we can give children (who are) separated from all they know something to hold on to."

People interested in donating, volunteering or finding out more about the MyStuff Bags Foundation can visit the website www.mystuffbags.org or call (866) 3MY-STUFF.