The Compelled to Care team is made up of people who are passionate about foster, adoptive and kinship families because each of them have been personally involved with the foster care system and caring for the vulnerable in different capacities.
The Compelled to Care team is made up of people who are passionate about foster, adoptive and kinship families because each of them have been personally involved with the foster care system and caring for the vulnerable in different capacities.
The Compelled to Care team is made up of people who are passionate about foster, adoptive and kinship families because each of them have been personally involved with the foster care system and caring for the vulnerable in different capacities.
The Compelled to Care team is made up of people who are passionate about foster, adoptive and kinship families because each of them have been personally involved with the foster care system and caring for the vulnerable in different capacities.
The Compelled to Care team is made up of people who are passionate about foster, adoptive and kinship families because each of them have been personally involved with the foster care system and caring for the vulnerable in different capacities.
SPEAKERS
SPEAKERS
Compelled to Care is a multi-faceted ministry that was birthed by people who wanted a safe place to be with other people who know what it means to care for kids from hard places. We are less of a support group and more of a community full of imperfect people moving forward as we live out the gospel and care for the vulnerable.
Compelled to Care is a multi-faceted ministry that was birthed by people who wanted a safe place to be with other people who know what it means to care for kids from hard places. We are less of a support group and more of a community full of imperfect people moving forward as we live out the gospel and care for the vulnerable.
Compelled to Care is a multi-faceted ministry that was birthed by people who wanted a safe place to be with other people who know what it means to care for kids from hard places. We are less of a support group and more of a community full of imperfect people moving forward as we live out the gospel and care for the vulnerable.
Compelled to Care is a multi-faceted ministry that was birthed by people who wanted a safe place to be with other people who know what it means to care for kids from hard places. We are less of a support group and more of a community full of imperfect people moving forward as we live out the gospel and care for the vulnerable.
Compelled to Care is a multi-faceted ministry that was birthed by people who wanted a safe place to be with other people who know what it means to care for kids from hard places. We are less of a support group and more of a community full of imperfect people moving forward as we live out the gospel and care for the vulnerable.
SPEAKERS
SPEAKERS
Everyone wants to serve foster kids, but sometimes it's hard to know how. There are many ways to serve in Compelled to Care. You can serve at large events, write encouraging cards or even help organize gift drives for foster kids and help organize donations.
Everyone wants to serve foster kids, but sometimes it's hard to know how. There are many ways to serve in Compelled to Care. You can serve at large events, write encouraging cards or even help organize gift drives for foster kids and help organize donations.
Compelled to Care is a multi-faceted ministry that was birthed by people who wanted a safe place to be with other people who know what it means to care for kids from hard places. We are less of a support group and more of a community full of imperfect people moving forward as we live out the gospel and care for the vulnerable.
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The Care Box Project has donated over 1300 Care Boxes to kids entering foster care in the South Sound region since 2019.
GIVE TO KIDS ENTERING FOSTER CARE
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When a child enters foster care it is normally an emergency situation. All they have with them is what they can quickly fit into a bag; often times a garbage bag. When they arrive at the child welfare office they get to pick out a Care Box that is filled with items they need; as well as gifts to make them feel better on such a hard day.
Many of the children entering foster care must wait in a Child Welfare office for around two hours while a social worker works hard to find a suitable relative or foster home for them to live while the department and parents work together to make the safest plan for returning home.
This is a time of high stress and uncertainty for kids. A Care Box filled with age-appropriate items will help occupy their time and will go with them into their new foster or kinship (relative) home.
The essential items in the box will help the foster or kinship parents focus on caring for the child without having to run to the store to grab things like new socks and toiletries.
WHY GIVE A CARE BOX?
HOW IT WORKS
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PICK-UP A BOX
*Dates and locations will be updated November 2026
Nov. 10th-Nov. 24th at
Sundays
9:00-12:30pm
OR
in the church office
T-Th 10am-4pm
Nov. 10th-Nov. 24th at
Sundays
9:00am-12:30pm
Nov. 17th-Dec. 1st at
Evergreen Christian Community, Olympia
Sundays ONLY
9am-12:30pm
NO pick-up in the ECC office.
All mid-week pick-ups & drop offs will be done at the Living Water Olympia Campus
Nov. 25th-Dec. 20th at Envision Career Academy, Lacey
In the school office
M-F 7:00am-2:30pm
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FOLLOW THE SHOPPING LIST
We have removed a lot of the guess work by providing lists for each age group. Please buy all the items on the essentials list and choose whatever extras that you feel like a child or youth would love. A fun idea is do a theme box - like Spiderman or unicorns or choose a color.
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If you don't want to do a full box you are welcome to donate individual items from the list. We will add them to boxes that can fit a few more items.
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FILL YOUR BOX
Have fun filling your box(s) individually, as a small group, as a family, as a class, as a church or as a business.
Imagine the child who will receive your box.
What would they need in an emergency situation?
What would make them feel loved, seen and cared for on a very hard day?
What are things your kids or grandkids enjoy?
What could go in the box to make it feel like a gift to receive?
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RETURN THE BOX
*Dates and locations will be updated November 2026
Sunday, Dec. 1st
Living Water, Olympia & Living Water, Yelm
9:00am-12:30pm
Until Thurs, Dec. 5th
Living Water, Olympia
Church Office
T-Th 10am-4pm
Sunday, Dec. 8th ONLY
Evergreen Christian Community, Olympia
9:00am-12:30pm
Drop offs will NOT be accepted in the ECC Church Office during the week
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Monday, Jan. 7, 2025
Envision Career Academy, Lacey
In the school office
M-F 7:00am-2:30pm
THE CARE BOX
Making a Care Box is a simple way to help comfort a child entering foster care and its a great opportunity to involve the whole family in caring for foster kids in our community.
Check out the videos and pictures to learn how to fill your box.
The picture shows an example of helpful things to put into your box.
Here's some tips:
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Don't overfill your box. They are designed to stack neatly in a child welfare office without taking up too much space.
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Don't tape your box because we open and check EVERY box before it is distributed.
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The best fitting blankets are the thin $2-$3 fleece blankets by Mainstay that they sell at Walmart.
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Follow the shopping list
THE CARE BOX SHOPPING LIST BY AGE GROUP
Please include EVERYTHING listed under Essentials and as many Extras as you can fit in your box without overfilling it. Please choose age/gender appropriate items. Choose the age and gender you want to focus on. Don't worry about being gender neutral because kids get to pick out their own box so they will choose the box that suits them best. Expected cost $50.
AGE 2-4
ESSENTIALS: toothbrush and kids toothpaste, wet-brush, detangling spray, kids soap, nightlight or small flashlight (with batteries), socks, sippy cup or reusable water bottle
EXTRAS: Something to do like coloring book and washable crayons, board books, figurines, dolls, bubbles, cars, etc. Something to snuggle like a stuffed animal and thin fleece blanket.
OTHER - foldable duffle bag, thin backpack or pillow case, fun band-aids, stickers, hair accessories FUN THEME IDEAS: Bluey, Disney or Nick Junior, Paw Patrol, Cocomelon, bears, butterflies
AGE 5-7
ESSENTIALS: toothbrush and kids toothpaste, wet-brush or wide tooth comb, detangling spray, kids soap, nightlight or small flashlight (with batteries), socks, reusable water bottle
EXTRAS: Something to do like coloring book and washable crayons, books, figurines, dolls, bubbles, cars, etc. Something to snuggle like a stuffed animal and thin fleece blanket. OTHER - foldable duffle bag, thin backpack or pillow case, fun band-aids, stickers, hair ties
FUN THEME IDEAS: Bluey, Spider-Man, Disney Princess, Barbie, Choose a color theme
AGE 8-10
ESSENTIALS: toothbrush and kids toothpaste, wet-brush or wide tooth comb, kids soap, nightlight or small flashlight (with batteries), socks, reusable water bottle, teen deodorant
EXTRAS: Something to do like coloring book and washable markers or colored pencils, books/graphic novels - like The Babysitters-Club or The Bad Guys, figurines, dolls, bubbles, cars, fidgets, Legos. Something to snuggle like a stuffed animal and thin fleece blanket. OTHER - foldable duffle bag, thin backpack or pillow case, hair ties, lip balm
FUN THEME IDEAS: Into the Spider-verse, Barbie, Animals, Mario, Choose a color theme or hobby
AGE 11-13
ESSENTIALS: toothbrush and toothpaste, wet-brush or wide tooth comb, teen soap, nightlight or small flashlight (with batteries), socks, reusable water bottle, deodorant, feminine hygiene products (small package)
EXTRAS: Something to do like coloring book or drawing paper and thin markers or colored pencils, playing cards, books/graphic novels, bubbles, fidget, nail polish, Legos. Something to snuggle like a stuffed animal and thin fleece blanket. OTHER - foldable duffle bag, thin backpack or pillow case, hair ties, lip balm, lotion
FUN THEME IDEAS: Into the Spider-verse, Barbie, Baby Yoda, Squishmallows, a color theme
AGE 14-17
ESSENTIALS: toothbrush and toothpaste, wet-brush or wide tooth comb, kids soap, nightlight or small flashlight (with batteries), socks, reusable water bottle, deodorant, feminine hygiene products (small package)
EXTRAS: Something to do like coloring book or drawing paper and thin markers or colored pencils, playing cards, books/graphic novels, bubbles, fidget, nail polish, Legos. Something to snuggle like a thin fleece blanket. OTHER - foldable duffle bag, thin backpack or pillow case, hair ties, lip balm FUN THEME IDEAS: Barbie, Into the Spider-verse, Star Wars, Seahawks, Mariners, a color theme
ITEMS TO AVOID*
USED ITEMS: Compelled to Care does not accept used or even gently used items - the only exception is for gently used books without any coloring or personal names in them
SHARP ITEMS: craft scissors, kids scissors, nail scissors, nail clippers, razors for shaving, pocket knives
DANGEROUS ITEMS: lighters, pocket knives, chocking hazards in the 2-4 year old box
HOLIDAY ITEMS: This box is distributed throughout the year so it needs to be neutral
SEASONAL ITEMS & CLOTHING: winter hats & gloves, clothes other than socks
MARKETING MATERIALS: invites to church, clubs, businesses, etc.
PERSONAL LETTERS: personal letters written in journals, books and cards
VITAMINS/SUPPLEMENTS/MEDICATIONS: melatonin, Pamprin, Tylenol, etc.
VIOLENT TOYS: violent graphic novels, water guns, toy weapons including guns, swords and knives
FOOD/CANDY: we don't know the allergies of the kids receiving the box
MONEY AND GIFT CARDS: Compelled to Care does not give away cash
RELIGIOUS ITEMS: the Department of Children Youth and Families (who we donate Care Boxes to) cannot distribute religious content or marketing materials directly to kids in foster care. Foster parents are encouraged to support a child's religious and cultural background. Foster parents are encouraged to include their foster children in their religious practice including church attendance so long as it is not discouraged by the parents. Compelled to Care is a Christian organization with Christian content at our events and we mainly partner with churches for gift drives. We understand the culture and restraints of DCYF and we want to be a blessing. Social workers confidently know that they can give Care Boxes without having to check the box before giving it.
*We spend days, sometimes weeks checking every box to remove these items and shop for replacement items. When items are removed they are donated to foster care organizations that can receive them or used at our other events and gift drives that don't have these same limitations such as the Holiday Gift Drive.
THE BEAUTY BOX
THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE BOX
In 2019 Compelled to Care received an email about a young girl who was in foster care. She was losing her hair due to not having the right products for her hair textured hair. This was a need we could meet so we ran to Target and bought her all the products and tools she needed. We wanted to make sure this girl felt beautiful and seen.
WHAT GOES IN A BEAUTY BOX?
Here is a simple guide for filling your Beauty Box! Please include everything listed.
Fill the box with these hair care items:
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Cantu Kids Nourishing Shampoos
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Cantu Detangler
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Cantu Leave-in Conditioner
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Cantu Hair Oil
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Wide Tooth Comb or Wet Brush
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Sectioning Clips
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Satin Cap/Bonnet
*Cantu is a popular brand; however, there are other great brands available. Purchase what your like to use for your curls and coils.
Where can I purchase these products:
These hair products are found at Walmart.
WHY THIS MATTERS
It’s important that foster parents are equipped with the right tools to care for their kids in foster care. Sometimes not being familiar with how to do hair that is different from our own and not knowing what tools to buy can be a real barrier. The Beauty Box will remove that barrier by providing the essential items needed for caring and styling beautiful curly textured hair.
HOW TO GET YOUR BUSINESS, CHURCH OR ORGANIZATION INVOLVED
LOCAL
Schedule a pick-up time and we will get you as many boxes and shopping lists as you need.
mail ashley@compelledtocare.com to schedule a pick-up time.
FARTHER OUT
We’d love to equip you to serve your local child welfare office and kids in foster care. Here are all the print outs you will need and a link to Uline for the box size you will need to purchase.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
Church of Living Water | Olympia & Yelm Campuses, Evergreen Christian Community | Olympia Campus, International Paper, Deschutes Storage and the local community.