Manley Hosts Ongoing Luggage Drive for Kids in Foster Care, Encouraging Holiday Sale Shopping

JOLIET, Ill. – State Representative Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is welcoming the community to help provide luggage to kids in the foster care system, so they will not have to carry their belongings in garbage bags.

“Children deserve dignity, especially when faced with hardships, such as being removed from their homes suddenly, or traveling from one care giver to another,” Rep. Manley said. “It is for these kids that I started the luggage drive a few years ago, and am rebooting this effort to ensure every child has something appropriate to carry their belongings.”

Through Manley’s leadership, and generosity of the community hundreds of luggage items have been collected and distributed to children.

During this season of giving, Rep. Manley encourages everyone if possible, to shop sales for new, rolling luggage for children of all ages but especially pieces appropriate for older children. 

The bags can be dropped off at Rep. Manley’s district office, located at Romeoville Village Hall, 1050 W. Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL 60446. The staff at Rep. Manley’s office will make it easy for you and if you call to arrange a time you won’t even have to leave your vehicle.

Contact Rep. Manley’s office at 815-725-2741 (call or text), or by email at repmanley@gmail.com. Luggage can also be dropped off at the accounting offices of Wermer, Rogers, Doran and Ruzon, 755 E. Essington Road, Joliet, IL 60435. Please call them at 815-730-6250 to notify them that you’ll be dropping off.

Rep. Manley, in cooperation with the Village of Romeoville, is able to store luggage in the basement, then deliver it to CASA of River Valley (court appointed special advocates), or other agencies that have this need.

“When CASA of River Valley specially requested a need for luggage appropriate for older boys, in blues, grays, tan colors without cartoon characters, we were lucky to have some in the basement ready to go,” Rep. Manley said. “Logistics and storage can be a concern getting items to the children, so we are grateful to Mayor Noak and the Village Board for offering a solution so we can continue our efforts to help these children.”

New suitcases are the preferred luggage, especially for older children without cartoons. New duffle bags and back packs will be accepted, but are not as preferred as suitcases. 

More than 500 children are in foster care each year, according to DCFS. CASA of River Valley supported 447 children in 2024, according to CASAofrivervalley.org.

To learn more about how to become a child advocate, contact CASA at 815-730-7072 or email casa@casaofrivervalley.org.