Local News

South Shore moms are stuffing backpacks for foster kids in honor of Bella Bond

The Remembering Bella Bond Project is hoping to make the lives of at least 100 foster kids easier.

A donation bin for the Remembering Bella Bond Project. Remembering Bella Bond Project

By Kristi Palma @kristipalma

October 28, 2015

2 minutes to read

Nicole Doyle, like many others across New England, was deeply moved by the story of Bella Bond, the little girl whose body was found on the shore of Deer Island in June.

When the Quincy mother of two happened to drive past Bella’s Dorchester home one day and a saw a mountain of stuffed animals left as a memorial, it sparked an idea.

Children going into foster care could sure use a stuffed animal and much more, she thought. She decided she’d start collecting donations to help comfort foster kids on their first day in foster care.

“We can’t save her, so let’s at least help someone else have a much better day on a scary day,’’ said Doyle.

Donations collected by the Remembering Bella Bond Project.

Doyle said she contacted the Department of Children & Families (DCF) to ask if she could donate items and was told yes. Then she began the Remembering Bella Bond Project .

Doyle enlisted the help of mothers on a South Shore Facebook page for parents. About half a dozen moms signed on to help and the group created a website and Facebook page for the project.

Doyle said she thought to herself, “What would my kids need for the first 24 hours?’’ and put together a wish list for foster kids age 2 to 11, though donations for all ages are welcome. The list includes pajamas, socks, underwear, toothbrushes, a change of clothes, and a comfort item such as a stuffed animal or toy. The items are all lovingly tucked inside a backpack with a tag attached indicating the gender and child’s size.

The moms next called businesses to ask if they could place a donation bin in their establishment. There are now bins in more than 25 businesses in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

“The response has been amazing,’’ said Doyle.

Items are picked up by volunteers and stuffed into the backpacks. The group hopes to stuff 100 backpacks by November and deliver them to DCF and is talking about planning another collection in the spring.

“This is something the social worker can just grab and go,’’ said Doyle.

While DCF is not affiliated with Doyle’s group, the agency is grateful for all public donations it receives throughout the year, said spokesperson Andrea Grossman.

“Having a backpack of new belongings or a book or stuffed animal can bring some comfort to children as they enter care,’’ she said.