Faith Formation youth at St. Marcus Catholic Church in Clear Lake have partnered with The Compassion Connection to help provide bags filled with items needed by kids going into foster care.

 

The Compassion Connection (TCC) is a non-profit organization out of Becker whose mission is to be a resource for and assist those who need support and assistance with food, clothing, household goods and basic essentials.

 

Although available for anyone in need, their focus in on local foster and adoptive families.

 

St. Marcus’ youth became involved with TCC when Faith Formation Director Peggy Berger was looking for local service projects they could participate in and heard about the kits the organization needs for kids entering foster care.

 

“Most people don’t realize that most foster children come into care with nothing,” said TCC founder Amy Drehmel. “Foster parents usually do not have time to plan as most come in a few hours or less.”

 

In October, the older St. Marcus youth went to TCC’s hub to meet with Drehmel and learn about the organization and help her sort clothes. Back at St. Marcus they shared what they’d learned with the rest of the youth.

 

Each month St. Marcus youth hold a drive asking parishioners to bring in certain items, such as toothpaste, diapers and pillows. At the end of each month, whichever Faith Formation class brings in the most donations wins a prize.

 

The biggest need TCC has is items for teens and babies coming into foster care. The baby kits the youth are putting together will include diapers, wipes, pajamas and a blanket or stuffed animal. The teen kits will include toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, feminine hygiene supplies and a pillow. Each will also include a handwritten note.

 

When the youth ministry group gets together each month they work on making pillowcases for the donated pillows, tied fleece blankets and drawstring bags for the foster care kits. They will begin stuffing the bags in January, and plan on finishing them by February.

 

“It’s a lot of fun to get together as a big group,” said Lisa Kronenburg. “I like being able to help kids in foster homes. When you think about it, they’re often sent to new homes in the middle of the night and just to be able to have things like a blanket is nice.” 

 

“It’s pretty neat,” said Sarah Warren. “I think we all enjoy working together and we’re helping people, so that’s good.”

 

“We’re having a good time,” said Conner Schafer. “It’s great that we’re helping out our community.” 

 

Each year St. Marcus adopts families for Christmas; this year they decided to partner with TCC and adopt foster families. Tags with requested items are placed on a Christmas tree; parishioners choose which they want to purchase. The youth will wrap and deliver the gifts to TCC in early December.

 

“We are thrilled to have St. Marcus Church youth partnering with us,” said Amy Drehmel, who started TCC. “They have been instrumental in helping gather donations, providing Christmas gifts and preparing kits for kids entering foster care, as well as sorting and organizing at our warehouse.”

 

She explained St. Marcus youth and the church are learning more about foster care and the needs involved with it through the partnership. 

 

“You’ve heard the saying ‘it takes a village,’ and I know it’s cliché, but foster parents need a big village,” said Drehmel. “St. Marcus youth are proof that ‘not everyone can be a foster parent, but anyone can help a foster child.’”

 

For more information on The Compassion Connection, visit facebook.com/NFPCompassionConnection/, email amydrehmel@gmail.com or call 763-275-0242.