There are over 3,000 children in the Orange County foster system, with thousands more in Los Angeles County and all across Southern California.
This week's Hero, Debby Thrailkill, brings comfort to many of these kids through her "My Own - A Case for Kids" project.
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Thrailkill collects and distributes suitcases filled with clothes and supplies for foster kids, who often have nothing more than a trash bag for their belongings.
In just a year, she has already given away more than 700 cases! Thrailkill tells KNX Hero host Heather Jordan, "[I] just pushing to do as many as I can because each one is receiving a case that not only is filled with 20 essentials like socks, underwear sheets, shampoo, hairbrush, also anything extra that the community donates. Stuffed animals, books, a pair of pajamas. In the end, I think it helps them feel more balanced.'
It all started around Christmas last year when Thrailkill had the idea to collect clothing and supplies for needy kids - enough to fill up a suitcase for each. She enlisted the help of her grandkids, having them write a letter of encouragement to the person receiving the gift.
Since then, Thrailkill has quickly grown her network of volunteers and donors, hoping to reach more foster care kids because, as she puts it, "No child deserves a trash bag."
Debbie Thrailkill of South Orange County is our KNX hero of the week!
Check out all our KNX Heroes here.
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