ST. JOSEPH­ — The Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS recently celebrated the end of its 11th annual fundraising program for Suitcases for Kids.

The association, along with community support, raised $5,525 in cash donations and collected more than 150 backpacks and numerous personal items to help Berrien, Van Buren and Cass county foster children.

The fundraiser benefits local foster children under the supervision of the Michigan Department of Human Services in the three counties. Many of the children have very little or no personal items that they can take with them when they are moved into foster care, so the new backpacks, clothing and personal healthcare items make a huge impact during a sad and confusing time for foster children, representatives said.

The community support for this fundraiser also contributed to its success. In addition to donating personal care items and cash donations, local businesses provided items for a silent auction.

The Suitcases for Kids committee members included Angela Nutto, Carolyn Krueger, Cindy Stovern, Chelley Bussey, Jenny Johnson, Lori Bennet, Patti Badner and Kathy Pallas. The committee members are REALTORS or Affiliate Members of Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS.

The Michigan Department of Human Services directors for all three counties thanked the REALTORS and other fundraiser participants at the celebration for their support, and gave insight into what the program means to them personally and for the children under their supervision.

“The Suitcases for Kids Campaign allows us, at Berrien County Department of Health and Human Services, to give kids coming into foster care a care package that usually includes new PJ’s, new socks, new underwear, and a toothbrush and toothpaste of their own to take to their placement,” said Michelle Kuiken, with the Berrien County Department of Human Services. “This makes a huge difference for a child who may not have been able to bring anything from their home. The child picks out all of these goodies and they go into a new back pack that the child will use for months for all kinds of things. We are very grateful to SWMAR.”

“We want to extend our gratitude to all who participate in the Suitcase For Kids campaign,” said Maria Solis with the Cass County DHS office. “This program has been very generous to our community aiding the most vulnerable. We see so many children come into foster care with little to nothing notwithstanding the fact that their lives have been devastated.  Some of our children are taken from detrimental living conditions and may not have even the most basic of needs met.

“The donations have provided much needed basic toiletries and the sort for our children. Although at the time of the removal, the children may not see the benefit of such ‘little things’ they are sometimes what can make the difference. I continue to be grateful for the generosity of others and their willingness to help whom they may not know or ever see, from the perspective of the Department of Health and Human Services in Cass County, these actions are what truly define social work and community.”

Suitcases for Kids was started in 1995 by 10 year-old Aubyn Burnside after learning that the average child in foster care moves three to four times, and traditionally carries his or her personal belongings from home to home in black garbage bags. This nonprofit international program has spread throughout the United States, as well as nine foreign countries.   

Burnside’s story has been featured in eight books including “Keeping President Clinton’s Five-Point Promise to Children,” “Extraordinary Girls,” “Business of the Heart: How Everyday Americans Are Changing the World,” and “What Do You Stand For? (A Kid’s Guide to Character).” Segments about Suitcases For Kids have appeared on public television shows.

The Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS Inc. is a professional trade association for real estate licensees who are members of the National Association of REALTORS and ancillary service providers for the real estate industry in Van Buren, Berrien and Cass counties. 

The association can be contacted at (269) 983-6375 or through its website at swmar.com.