Mason Assembles Birthday Kits for Children Impacted by Domestic Violence

GURNEE, Ill. – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, and her Women’s Advisory Council recently assembled “Birthday in a Bag” kits to be distributed to local domestic violence shelters as a way to help children celebrate their birthdays while recovering from dangerous situations.

“It’s easy to forget how women and children sacrifice everyday luxuries while escaping dangerous situations at home. Oftentimes, domestic violence survivors have just minutes to leave their homes and leave most of their belongings behind. Children who are facing a domestic violence situation have enough to worry about and enough to sacrifice, and giving them an opportunity to maintain the normalcy of something as routine as a birthday party is so important to helping these kids heal and move forward,” Mason said. “The birthday in a bag kits are a small gesture to ensure that, even during the most difficult times, children being served by our local domestic violence shelters are able to celebrate their birthday with their families just like every other kid.”

The “Birthday in a Bag” supplies were donated by Mason, members of her Women’s Advisory Council and members of the community. The bags will be donated to A Safe Place and distributed to children and families in need.