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Longtime foster parent collects, donates luggage to foster children

LOUISVILLE (WHAS11) --  A special delivery was made to the Home of the Innocents this morning from a longtime former foster parent Don Pratt, who delivered a truck load of suitcases.

LOUISVILLE (WHAS11) -- A special delivery was made to the Home of the Innocents Thursday morning from a longtime former foster parent Don Pratt, who delivered a truck load of suitcases.

"I've been collecting, over 15 to 20 years, luggage for foster kids, people donate it to me. I distribute it for free," said Pratt.

Pratt noticed that many kids in the foster care system never had actual luggage and had to carry their belongings in garbage bags, so he decided to do something about it. He began collecting and distributing suitcases, backpacks, and duffle bags.

"That way these kids don’t have to move in garbage bags," said Pratt.

Pratt has since distributed suitcases to organizations in 116 Kentucky counties. Thursday, he delivered pieces of luggage to Brooklawn and Home of the Innocents with the hopes of leaving the foster children they serve with something they can carry with them and call their own.

"Some kids don’t really know the difference and the shock and terror of being moved from their home or moving around is probably something. A suitcase doesn't mean a lot momentarily, but at a later date when it's theirs and they have that privilege of keeping that luggage for free, they have a storage area for whatever whatnots they want, underneath their bed. Just like we did as children, this is free for them and it's theirs," said Pratt.

It is a gift Home of the Innocents' Paul Robinson says they are grateful for.

"During the holidays, especially, it’s so important that the community helps us and so the great way for them to do that is to provide donations to us. New items in particular right now for the children that we have here and for the children that we help serve in the community. In particular the aftercare program we are looking for donations of small appliances mixers, microwaves, things like that," said Paul Robinson, Home of the Innocents.

Something the Home of the Innocents is also in need of right now is wrapping paper and gift wrapping materials. If you would like to help Pratt out with donating luggage, you can email him at dbp91044@gmail.com.

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