The Terre Haute Association of REALTORS® (THAAR) heard the Vigo Co Sheriff's Drug Task Force and Child Protective Services (CPS) discuss the enormous problems resulting, both socially and economically, from methamphetamine drug abuse in Vigo County. We all came away from that meeting with a clearer understanding of the enormity of the problem in our community and about the many innocent lives that are altered because of it, particularly those of the children who, by necessity, are removed from the drug environment and placed in foster care. Over the years, hundreds of children were removed from their homes by CPS, often in the middle of the night. The children leave with very few, if any, personal possessions, and frequently without even the clothes they are wearing.
The Community Services Task Force of THAAR, after discussions with CPS, believed THAAR and its Affiliates could help ease the transition for these children through a project called "Home Is Where You Are". Through this project we seek to provide each child with their own bright duffel bag containing items such as toothpaste, toothbrush, a stuffed animal, a small fleece blanket, crayons, coloring book, pencils, pads of paper, underwear, socks, a candy bar or snack package, comb, and brush, etc.
Our goal is to prepare 50-100 duffle bags each year. Our members, broker offices, and financial institutions donate specific items or make monetary donations. Our committee members also contact local retail outlets for help. "Home Is Where You Are" is a wonderful, tangible way THAAR helps the innocent victims of this epidemic in our community.
Grillin' and Chillin'
