Copperas Cove Kindergartener Made The Holidays Bright With Pajamas For Foster Kids
Last month, most five-year-olds were worrying about what they would get from Santa, but Braelyn Liles wanted to make sure some of Central Texas' most vulnerable kids got the comforting gift of pajamas.
With her 'Pajama Project', Braelyn managed to gather over 160 sets of pajamas for foster children in Bell and Coryell counties.
Over 1100 Children Are In The Bell County Foster System Alone
More than 122,000 children in Texas are currently awaiting adoption while in the state foster care system. Foster Love Bell County is an organization that helps coordinate efforts to assist children and foster parents as they navigate the system.
Braelyn's Made It Her Mission to Help
Braelyn has been a busy girl. Since being crowned last March, the reigning Little Miss Five Hills has volunteered with Foster Love Bell County with her platform of service, Fostering Hope.
The City of Copperas Cove reports that before the pajama project, Braelyn had already collected over 15,000 essentials and comfort items for foster kids who were removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.
There's More Love Incoming
Braelyn's not finished helping the foster children yet. After collecting the pajamas for Christmas, her next big project is to gather suitcases, duffel bags, and backpacks.
A lot of people may not realize this, but when children are placed in foster care, many of them have nothing but trash bags or sacks for their personal belongings. The suitcases, duffles, and backpacks Braelyn plans to collect next will let the children have something of their own to pack during a traumatic time and help with their transition.
If you would like to donate or learn more, you can email fivehillspageant@gmail.com.
You can also contact the Miss Five Hills Scholarship Program through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.