A high school senior in Chicago is leading a community-wide donation drive to help kids in the foster care system for his Eagle Scout service project
Marist High School student Grayson Herr told NBC Chicago he’s collecting the luggage so kids have something to travel with as they transition between foster homes.
He said donations have been pouring in from people across the Chicagoland, including his sponsoring church at Saint Paul’s Bible Church and congregation at Christ the King Parish.
“We literally came here this morning at like 10 a.m., they had this room filled,” he said. “The other room in there had some luggage too.”
Herr and his fellow scouts from BSA Troop 608 brought the luggage out one by one early Saturday evening.
“This is ideal right here, it’s small and a median age for a foster child is eight years old,” he explained.
For his Eagle Scout Service project, Herr wants to help children entering foster care by giving them a proper suitcase so they can carry their belongings during the difficult transition.
“I think every child deserves dignity and I think it’s a human right that shouldn’t be taken away from anyone,” he said.
He got the idea after doing some research on the issue.
“I’ve had so many people come up to me that they didn’t know this was a problem and I’m just glad I could help,” he said. “It’s a lesser-known issue and I think the fact that people are so willing to help—it just speaks to the community and how open everyone is here.”
Grayson started the drive two weeks ago and said he’s already reached his goal of collecting 150 pieces of luggage. His parents told NBC Chicago they’re proud of him and said their garage is fully stacked.
“There was no doubt that we would definitely get something, but it’s been overwhelming in a wonderful wonderful way,” said Carla Herr, Grayson’s mom.
The Herr’s know their son is setting an example for others.
“Everybody has talents and they should use those talents to the best of their ability to help whoever is around them,” said Terry Herr, Grayson’s dad.
The donations will benefit Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois in Joliet. The last day for drop off is Sunday at his home parish.
“My religion teacher always says find your moral outrage, whatever gets you fired up and just work on it,” said Herr. “Find a way to help whether that be through donations, starting a passion project, anything—I think as longas you do something it’s worth it.”
Herr said the plan is to clean and sanitize the luggage later this summer before shipping it off to Joliet.
If you’d like to donate you can drop off in the back of the church during masses at Christ the King Parish on Sunday, June 21, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Luggage donations can also be dropped off at the Christ the King rectory during rectory hours until June 21.
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