Samantha* (name changed) attended the I Belong Day in April hosted by one of our faith community partners. In October, they reached out to VKB with an idea. They wanted to ensure each of the youth that came to them in April would know they were loved during the holidays.

They asked VKB’s I Belong Project Manager, Ashley to help. She coordinated case managers and wishlists but realized Samantha’s wishlist missed the deadline and no one was available to fulfill her one wish: a sewing machine. Ashley wasn’t sure what could be done but…

At the end of November, Ashley was connecting back with senior reporter, Bill Fitzgerald, at CBS6 in Richmond about the A Hand to Hold campaign.

These wonderful profiles of our I Belong Project youth on the evening news build awareness, increase inquiries, and encourage everyone to find their ‘something’ to change the outcome for a child in care.

Bill shared that a woman reached out to the station and wanted to help but wasn’t sure what she could do. Fostering or adoption wasn’t really an option for her.

She had a sewing machine that she didn’t need and wondered if a foster family might want it. Bill was wondering if Ashley might know of someone that could use the sewing machine?

Within days, delivery was arranged. Samantha got her Christmas wish because of a faith community, television station, case manager, and a very special woman willing to do her ‘something.’

This is the VKB model. Everyone doing what they can.

We never know where the connections we make each year will lead. We are so grateful to all of you for the privilege of seeing amazing stories like this one unfold.