Stitch Witches 4H work with Elves on a Mission to buy gifts for foster kids
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, December 19th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION COUNTY – Five young ladies with the Stitch Witches 4H Club in Union County recently worked to help in foster care in our community. Through a group called Elves on Mission, Karly Burgess, Karlee Patterson, Whitley Gundersen, Aubrey Bisenius and Jill Moran took some time and money to the Island City Wal-Mart and purchases gifts for foster kids.
Elves on a Mission was started about five years ago by co-founders Chris Kurtz and Lowann VanLeuven to help foster kids in Union, Baker and Wallowa Counties. This organization works to allow kids in foster care to experience the same opportunities and support as any kid according to Kurtz. They provide the tangibles for foster kids, things that on the surface might be extras in life. Kurtz notes that “specifically we provide every foster kid that needs it in Union Baker and Wallow Counties, all of their Christmas gifts.” Whatever they have requested on a wish list, Elves on a Mission secures and provides. This includes, but is not limited to, all of their backpacks and school supplies, shoes, clothes, etc.
In the five years since this program began, Elves on a Mission has distributed over 5,000 holiday gifts and close to that again for back-to-school items.
In 2022 Elves on a Mission also provided school supplied to all students in Elgin. This program may be called Elves on a Mission, but what they do for foster kids goes on all year long. In the past, according to Kurtz, they have been able to provide a variety of needed and/or wanted items to kids such as, a new bike for a birthday, payment of school fees for kids who want to participate in school sports of programs, and even plane tickets for a kid to accept an award they had received and was being presented in Colorado.
VanLeuven says “I like the feeling of giving and being involved and so I love this”, noting that this sort of project is something that these girls [The Stitch Witches] will carry with them and remember forever.
The Stitch Witches 4H Group collects cans to raise money throughout the year and this year put on a Holiday Bazaar. Some of that money was used to purchase gifts for foster kids through Elves on a Mission. Items asked for by kids, and purchases included babies, remote control cars, nail polish, make-up, books, stalking caps and more.
One of the members of the Stitch Witches said, just knowing kids are getting something that they don’t have, it’s just a great feeling.”
Another member noted, there are kids that don’t really get a Christmas so it’s nice to know that they are getting something, and it is great that we are able to give them things they asked for.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Stitch Witches 4H Group or any of the other groups can contact the Union County Extension Office at 541-963-1010.
Learn more about the Elves on a Mission program at http://www.elvesonamission.com/
