The Crescenta Valley Lions Club celebrated another successful Kases 4 Kids event. The community turned out in large numbers and donated hundreds of backpacks, carry-on suitcases, hygiene products, school supplies, stuffed animals and handmade blankets. On three Saturdays, together with the members of the Crescenta High School Leos Club, volunteers gathered to assemble 250 ready-to-go packs for area foster kids.

Kases 4 Kids is an annual event held by the Lions Club when items are collected, assembled and donated to Alliance of Relative Caregivers. The Alliance then distributes them to foster kids in the local area so that when the kids move from one home to another, they have a dignified suitcase to carry their belongings instead of a trash bag.

This year, unexpected assistance came from two Crescenta Valley HS freshmen. The dynamic duo of Emily Bramlett and Christian Kacheran collected, assembled and delivered to the Lions Club members dozens of ready-to-distribute backpacks.

Those who wish to participate in the Kases 4 Kids campaign can contact the Lions Club; donations of new or like-new backpacks, carry-on cases, hygiene products, school supplies, stuffed animals and money will be eagerly accepted. Contact Jeero Habeshian at Jeero@GlencrestTeam.com, Connie Jansen at 5starshopper@att.net or Bob Kawahara at rmkatty@pacbell.net for details.