5000 Role Models to Host Duffel Drive for Foster Children

Jacksonville, FL, February 23, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Duffels4Kids and 5000 Role Models of Excellence Duval County are partnering with the goal of providing 500 duffel bags to children in foster care in Duval County. 5000 Role Models, a nonprofit that teaches young men of color about healthy living, responsibility and respect, is spearheading the duffel drive from March 1 through May 6 in its five middle school sites: Fort Caroline Middle, DuPont Middle, Jean Ribald Middle, J.E.B. Stuart Middle and Jefferson Middle.  

“5000 Role Models of Excellence Program is excited about partnering with Duffels4Kids to help foster children in Duval County, because alone we can do so little but together we can do so much,” said 5000 Role Models Duval County Site Director Alex Griffin. 

This is a great opportunity for two organizations to make a huge impact on Jacksonville's children in foster care. Too many children are having to move their belongings in trash bags and 5000 Role Models is stepping up to the challenge for these children.

T. LaShaun Wallace, Duffels4Kids President

All Jacksonville residents are invited to participate in the duffel drive and will be able to drop off duffels at any of the school sites. The school site with the most duffel donations or paid walk registrations will earn a free pizza party sponsored by Duffels4Kids. 

“This is a great opportunity for two organizations to make a huge impact on Jacksonville’s children in foster care,” said Duffels4Kids president, T. LaShaun Wallace. “Too many children are having to move their belongings in trash bags and 5000 Role Models is stepping up to the challenge for these children." 

The efforts of duffel drive participants will culminate with the May 21 Duffels4Kids walk at the Jacksonville Zoo to commemorate National Foster Care Month. Many of the duffels will be distributed to Duval County’s foster children at that time. 

To learn more about the duffel drive, contact Alex Griffin at 904.573.1000, ext. 208.

About Duffels4Kids 

There are more than 22,000 children in Florida’s foster care system and oftentimes, they are given trash bags to use as luggage. Duffels4Kids fulfills a need for foster children who are often shuttled from home to home with their belongings in a trash bag. The duffels, which are provided free of charge, give them a small sense of comfort, offering some solace to children who have left most of their familiar belongings behind.

About 5000 Role Models of Excellence Duval County 

The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project serves 10 Duval County middle and high schools. The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project aims to intervene in the lives of at-risk minority male youth in an effort to provide them with positive role models and experiences that will empower them to make good choices and encourage healthy living, responsibility, respect and achievement. The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Program also has a Miami component, which was founded by Representative Fredericka Wilson. 

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For more information, visit: 

www.duffels4kids.org 

Or contact: 

Michael Wallace 

Duffels4Kids  

954.699.0844 

contact@duffels4kids.org