Foster Closet Volunteers Hop into Action

March 24, 2021

Stuart -

Just like an Energizer Easter Bunny, you can't stop Ericah and Sabrina Brinson, co-founders of the Treasure Coast Foster Closet.

The sisters-in-law and CCKids foster parents organized a springtime community event that landed Easter baskets into the hands of foster parents across Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast, and even a few in the Palm Beaches.

"We were so happy we could raise enough money; it's been such a hard year financially for so many people," Ericah said.

The duo, together with volunteers from their Stuart-based Foster Closet, raised more than $6,000 - money they used to create Easter baskets for 100 foster families, serving a total of 308 children.

Each family who pre-registered for the project received a single family basket filled with enough candy, chalk and bubbles for each child in their home, as well as individual $20 gift cards with which they could create custom baskets.

"In the past, we made baskets for every child, but that was a lot of work," Ericah said. "This year was a lot less work, and the families seemed to really like it.

The baskets were distributed in a drive-through line at the Covenant Baptist Church, in Stuart. Residents who support the Foster Closet were asked to sponsor a basket for $25; every child in the home - foster, biological and adopted - were included.

"This was a hard year for everyone," Ericah said. "We wanted to offer a bright spot in a hard time - something to make us all feel normal."

Foster Closet was established in 2017 and has grown from a storage unit on U.S.1 to a storefront. Local foster parents have around-the-clock access to the closet, which provides toys, clothing, furniture and other donations to caregivers served by the CCKids community of care.

The closet accepts donations from the community, although there is currently a freeze on toys and furniture. Check it out on Facebook here.