Auburn employees launch Luggage Donation Project for youth in foster care

Julia S. Charles, an assistant professor of African American Literature in the Department of English, and Nicole Linen, a clinical and sport psychologist in Auburn Athletics, launched a project in May to honor National Foster Care Month. The idea for the Loving Luggage Project was from Charles’ experiences as a foster care child and her memories of having to shove her belongings into trash bags when transitioning from placements. The paired decided that to prevent other children from having similar experiences, they would create the Loving Luggage Project.

The purpose of the Loving Luggage Project is to help ease the stress of the children’s transitions by providing them with new, carry-on luggage filled with useful and fun items. With the public's help, the Loving Luggage Project will provide luggage to foster children between the ages of 3-18 in Alabama and Georgia.

In three weeks, the Loving Luggage Project has received donations such as new carry-on luggage, books, crayons, toiletries and blankets from across the country. Although National Foster Care Month is coming to an end, the project is not. The Loving Luggage Project is still accepting donations and planning packing parties.

To learn more, go to www.TheLovingLuggageProject.com.