The El Dorado News-Times has hosted The CALL of Union County’s Playpen with a Purpose this week, gathering donated supplies for foster children throughout the county.
Karen Langston, Union County coordinator for the CALL, said she is grateful for all the donations received so far. The News-Times has thus far collected packages of diapers, basic toiletries and several larger items, including a baby bath tub, a Pack n’ Play and mattresses for cribs, thanks to donations from staff and members of the community.
“I can’t believe it,” Langston said.
The Playpen with a Purpose will stay at the News-Times office, located at 111 N. Madison St. in El Dorado, throughout next week as well. Members of the community are welcome to stop by to donate.
Langston said the CALL Mall, where items donated to the CALL are stored, is currently low on girl’s underwear and deodorant. Donations of any type are welcome, however, and the focus of the current donation drive is on toiletries and hygiene products.
“Our CALL Mall is not very big and we try to be good stewards with the space that we have, but we want it to be full … If there’s a need, we want to fill it,” Langston said. “If your kids need it, our kids need it.”
The CALL’s mission is to educate, equip and encourage the Christian community in the county to provide a future and hope for children in foster care. It is part of a statewide organization with the same mission.
Currently, 39 Union County children live in foster care. Children from neighboring counties also reside in foster care in Union County, Langston said.
The CALL is currently planning a big step towards expanding and improving foster services in El Dorado – next month, they will hold their first ever fundraising banquet in hopes of raising enough money to help them lease a rental house to move their operations to.
On October 21 at 6:30 p.m., the CALL will hold their Restoring Hope banquet at the College Avenue Church of Christ with a goal of raising at least $18,000 to cover rent and utilities at the property for one year.
“If I could rock $20,000 I would be super happy,” Langston said.
The rental property is move-in ready, meaning the CALL would not need to renovate or put other monies into fixing the house up. Langston said the house is in a nice neighborhood and has a large front porch.
“We feel a strong desire to help DHS (Arkansas Department of Human Services) and biological families, to provide a home atmosphere for family visitation,” Langston said. “We want to create an environment where she (a child’s biological mother) will have access to a kitchen, a living room, a dining room, where it can actually be a good, quality home visit.”
On October 1, the CALL will hold an educational session about foster care at Immanuel Baptist Church, starting at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in learning about adopting or fostering a child are welcome to attend.
To get involved with the CALL, contact Langston at [email protected].
The News-Times office building is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone interested in contributing to the Playpen with a Purpose is welcome and encouraged to stop by.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].