Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Gori.
Debbie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Adventure Bags, Inc. started in October of 2011 after my daughter who works for DFCS flew across country to pick up a sibling group who entered foster care. As she and some co-workers were at the airport to pick them up, the children greeted them with large black trash bags. This made her and her co-workers very upset. To think, these children had all of their belongings in trash bags. That day, something sparked in my daughter and she never wanted to see that again! They had to purchase overnight essentials, comfort items, and a book bag from the airport gift shop in order to ensure that these children had something to call their own AND something to place their belonging in other than a black trash bag!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It is not been a smooth ride, this non-profit is literally not for profit…not a single person gets paid. All the items, time spent, and office organizing is done by Debbie Gori and her amazing volunteers. There were some months we did not think we would be able to continue, even with counties calling to request these Bags for children across Georgia. In order to do this, it takes supplies which cost money, it takes transportation which cost money, and it takes time which doesn’t cost money but the volunteers are just that…volunteers. We have some GREAT volunteers but they have their own families, work, and lives also so we can only do so much. Donations of time, money, and supplies have truly been an ongoing blessing.
Please tell us about Adventure Bags.
Well, I am considered the local “Bag Lady” and I wear that with pride! There is not a person I meet that I don’t tell them about this organization and how they can help! We specialize in bringing smiles to children faces who otherwise are dealt with horrible stories at times. What better way to spend the day, then by packing and delivering bags to agencies all across Georgia to give to children in need! We are known for the book Bags filled with overnight essentials, some even include teenage hygiene items, every bag comes with a stuffed animal, book, and a game or journal of some sort. All bags are age and gender appropriate and all are stuffed with unconditional love. To date, Adventure Bags, Inc has delivered 17,811 bags and we still are filling bags to date! The ability to do a job that can bring even just one smile to a struggling child’s face is the best gift anyone could ever ask for!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Being able to be free, free of worry, free of pain, and free to be me…what a child should feel.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.adventurebags.org
- Phone: 4042851671
- Email: donations@adventure.ags.org
- Other:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms7viJO9nvI&authuser=2
Image Credit:
Adventure Bags, Inc.
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