Salinas, Calif. youth comforts children in protective custody, sets example for others to follow

Samantha Dilbeck is an amazing kid!

Launched when she was 6-years old, Samantha Dilbeck, now 12, established Sammie´s Kids Foundation to help children cope with the harsh reality of being removed from their homes.

(MONTEREY COUNTY, CALIF.) – Samantha Dilbeck is an amazing kid with the heart of an angel.

At age 6, she informed her parents, Tiffany and Erick Dilbeck that she wanted to help foster children who were plucked from their homes without a moment´s notice.

To serve these children in crisis, the Dilbeck family founded Sammie´s Kids Foundation (SKF) in 2005. A nonprofit organization serving Salinas and Monterey Counties, Calif., SKF relies on the support of both private donors and the local community. At a recent fundraiser Tiffany said enough funds were raised to keep the program running for another year, but more donations are always needed.

Since its inception, SKF has made a difference in the lives of more than 800 children and teens taken to the Salinas-based Cherish Receiving Center operated by Aspiranet, one of California´s largest foster care and adoption agencies.

"Children who arrive at the receiving center often do not have any personal belongings with them," Tiffany said. "Our goal is to provide each child or teen with a personalized tote bag containing three days of clothes, a sweatshirt, pajamas, shoes, undergarments, a blanket, a stuffed giraffe (the foundation´s mascot) and toiletries for older youths."

Even a nightlight is included with every tote bag, bringing comfort to a child on dark nights.

Aspiranet also operates Harmony House in Contra Costa County. Both centers support children immediately after removal from their homes, offering a safe haven for up to 24 hours while placement decisions are coordinated with county social workers.

"The children and teens we serve are suffering through a tragic ordeal and are comforted with their tote from Sammie´s Kids," said La Trice Taylor, Aspiranet District Director of the South Bay. "Within 12 hours after our call to Sammie´s Foundation, Tiffany (Dilbeck) delivers a tote bag to our center that is specific to each child. It makes a world of difference and gives these young people something to call their own."

Tiffany says some children taken into protective custody have never owned a pair of pajamas or item of new clothing. "When we buy something new for ourselves, the first thing we do is remove the tag, but for many of these kids, it is the first time they have ever had anything brand new to remove the tag from."

To help Sammie´s Kids Foundation with sponsorships or in-kind donations, call (831) 769-0355 or visit the foundation´s website at www.sammieskidsfoundation.com.

For more information on Aspiranet and becoming a foster or adoptive parent, call (800) 439-1905 or visit www.aspiranet.org.

Tina Vervoorn

Consortium Media's Five Pillars of Marketing Success©

Today´s media world is complex. Consortium Media Services (CMS) navigates and saves clients money with our unique 5 Pillars of Marketing Success© - a blend of advertising, public relations, promotions, web integration, and creative to build names into breakaway brands that are leaders in their respective category.

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Denise Bean-White, President / CEO
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Tina Vervoorn, Public Relations Manager
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Adrienne Stephens, Public Relations Correspondent
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