Alyssa Hirkaler 
Two New Jersey moms and small business owners are sharing the season of giving this holiday season by launching a fundraiser for children in foster care. Angela Spazianto and Caitlyn Undreiner partnered with Foster Love to launch Hope for the Holidays, a fundraiser that benefits children entering the foster care system. Within ten days of launching the campaign, the two were able to raise over $3,000, allowing them to provide essential items to children in foster care. The duo is already planning on expanding the fundraiser throughout the holidays and into 2026. Read on to learn more about how you can support Hope for the Holidays, and local foster care families, during this holiday season.
Photo Credit: Angela Beth Studio
The Local Moms Behind the Mission
When they’re not busy helping support their community, Angela and Caitlyn manage their own small businesses while raising their families. Angela is the owner of Angela Beth Studio, a newborn and family photography studio serving northern New Jersey. Caitlyn is the owner of Bloom Baby Doulas, a full-service doula referral agency.
“As moms whose work has always been rooted in service, our mission is to bring our community together to support those who need it most, while honoring families of all kinds,” said Angela. “Together, our goal is to provide comfort, dignity, and hope to children entering the foster care system,” Caitlyn added.
Providing Dignity and Comfort
Photo Credit: Angela Beth Studio
When children enter foster care, many are only given a trash bag to carry their belongings. Over 400,000 children in the U.S. enter foster care with a trash bag, packed with minimal items. The goal for Hope for the Holidays is to raise funds for duffel bags filled with essentials and comfort items for children who are moving into foster care. Items include blankets, hygiene essentials, teddy bears, and activities or games- small comforts that remind children that they are seen and valued. These duffel bags called “Sweet Case Kits” are a small but powerful way to restore dignity during a painful or uncertain time.
The two partnered with Foster Love, an organization that provides assistance to children in foster care and the foster community at large. 100% of donations raised directly help kids in foster care. Foster Love has over 135,000 volunteers and has helped over one million U.S. children in foster care. Volunteers then decorate and assemble the kits, and the kits are donated directly to a child in need.
How to Get Involved
Hope for the Holidays recently hosted an event on November 20th at Arch Wellness in Bloomfield, working with community partners and wellness professionals across New Jersey and the New York Metro area to not only fill duffel bags, but also decorate them with images and messages of hope.
While these bags are helpful, especially for the holiday season, children enter the foster care system year-round. Every donation helps to remind a child that they deserve to feel valued and respected. If you are interested in directly impacting the life of a child entering the foster care system, please visit fosterlove.com or reach out to [email protected] and [email protected]
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