Volunteer highlight | Laurie

To Laurie, becoming a Love Box Leader simply made sense. She had been working with children in foster care for a few years, and was aware of the hardships children and families face through experiencing it. Because she knew the need, she also wanted to make sure the non-profit organization she supported would truly be one she could stand behind. Laurie says, “Since I had previous knowledge of the multiple hardships kids and families go through in the foster care system, I knew the need for support is important and can be life-changing. Since I work in the non-profit sector, I'm picky about which organizations I choose and I investigate to see how they are sustainable, ethical, and impactful. Austin Angels is incredibly intentional in all that they do and they have amazing results with their kids from quantitative points such as their high school graduation rates to the anecdotal stories of kids having a birthday party for the first time in their lives! This organization and the Love Box program is a means where we can share support, encouragement, and hope in difficult times.”

Laurie was nervous before meeting her Love Box family, but they hit it off instantly. After a few visits, their relationships grew to feel a little more like family each time. She says, “Through the Love Box program I have gained a wonderful family that makes me smile every time I think about them. Their foster mom is so generous with her time and her home for her kids. I try to support her as much as I can.” Her favorite memory with the family is when the youngest child was afraid of riding her bike, but after time with Laurie she was riding alongside her brothers. She says, “I love watching them play, learn, and grow, and I love the gifts they draw for me to put on my fridge!” Through the Love Box program, the children and foster mom got the support they needed, and Laurie gained the family she didn’t know she needed! 

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