Information for Donations

I know that all of us have seen the news and are alarmed about the situation of unaccompanied children at the southern border.  This is not a Democrat, Republican, or bipartisan issue -- it is about children and their health and safety ONLY.

The organization charged with caring for these children until further notice is called Southwest Key.  Southwest Key is a private nonprofit organization that has been caring for undocumented children who have crossed the southern border for 30 years.  It is nationally accredited with the Council of Accreditation and was ranked 4th on HispanicBusiness Magazine's Top 25 Nonprofits list.  

From their website:

"Southwest Key Programs is a private, nonprofit organization committed to keeping kids out of institutions and home with their families, in their communities. Through an exceptionally competent and diverse staff, Southwest Key empowers youth and their families to make positive changes in their lives including at our 27 immigrant children's shelters in Texas, Arizona and California.

Unaccompanied children enter the United States every year from countries all over the world. Some come to escape extreme violence in their home countries; some are trafficked into the country. Some come to work, others to escape physical abuse and desperate poverty. For 20 years, Southwest Key’s Unaccompanied Children's Services Program has been an integral partner in the U.S. response, sheltering immigrant children under 18 years of age who arrive without a parent or guardian."

Another article about Southwest Key, specifically the Casa Padre shelter (the "Walmart" you've heard about in the news): 

Inside the Former Walmart That Is Now a Shelter for Almost 1,500 Migrant Children

This is NOT the shelter run by the Border Patrol that you may have heard of where kids are kept in cages. This is a long-established agency that has worked with the Dept of Health and Human Services (NOT ICE, ORR, or DHS). This organization is where kids are taken after processing through border patrol and is run through DHHS (not the others). The Border Patrol shelter is temporary housing. (Well, hopefully it's ALL temporary.)

This organization has a wish list on their website.  My family is collecting donations of items on the wish list for Southwest Key.  I have been in touch with their volunteer coordinator to confirm that this would be an acceptable way to help.  If you would like to participate, she has told me that this is what they need most:

• Preschool toys and books -- think "Playskool" or "Melissa and Doug" type toys that can be easily cleaned.  These can be new or VERY gently used. Please NO stuffed animals, even new.       
• NEW clothing items in 6 months to 5T       
• books for all reading levels -- in Spanish (or bilingual), especially        
• coloring books and crayons/markers/colored pencils; also drawing paper        
• New or gently used outdoor games ESPECIALLY soccer and basketballs        
• Ipads and iPods
• Gift cards to Walmart, Amazon, ITunes, Target (PLEASE no grocery stores as they have different chains)

Please do NOT donate stuffed toys, diapers, used clothing, toiletries, food, candy, or anything perishable or that could be construed as weapons (including water guns).  They have a local donation network that provides much of these items.

If you live in Polk County and surrounding areas:

I will be available at the Food Lion parking lot in Columbus on MONDAY JUNE 25 from 4:00 to 6:00 or you can text me at 864-430-0566 and I can meet you or come to you at a time BEFORE that date.

If you live in Upstate SC:
I will be at the Target in Greer on MONDAY JUNE 25 from 9:00 to 12:00 (text me when you get there as I will not be in my car!) or you can text me at 864-430-0566 and I can meet you or come to you at a time BEFORE that date.

Items will be packaged and shipped on or before July 2.  If you would like to donate to shipping costs I will also be taking donations for that.  Please text me at the number above for the mailing address.