Give Joy. Give Comfort. Support Foster Kids — All Year Long
Volunteer Garland invites you to help brighten the lives of children and teens in foster care (ages 3–18). Many of these youth are navigating difficult transitions — your support can bring comfort, dignity, and hope right when they need it most.
UPDATE: 01/05/26
Care Backpacks have been suspended. Residents in December overwhelmed the agency's storage capacity. (Good job, Garland) They are looking for a company that is interested in redirecting their giving to help them with a storage unit. Volunteer Garland will update this listing when the current stock of backpacks is given out to the new intakes, so as to not overwhelm their staff.
Priority request:
Pampers Swaddlers (Size 2)
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Diapers (Size 4, any brand)
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Baby wipes
The additional cost of taking in babies for these items keeps potential foster care homes from taking in babies. The agency is asking for these items to help retain and recruit new foster homes.
1. Holiday Gifts & Toys
Spread holiday cheer by donating new, unwrapped toys for children and teens. Every gift helps ensure they have something to call their own this season.
Requested Holiday Items:
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Toys for boys and girls (ages 3–12) -
Legos and creative play sets
2. Year-Round Care Kits
Children enter foster care throughout the year — often with little more than the clothes they are wearing. You can help by donating items for care kits that provide essentials and comfort.
Requested Care Kit Items:
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Pampers Swaddlers (Size 2) -
Diapers (Size 4, any brand) -
Baby wipes -
New car seats (unused, in box) -
Jewelry, perfume, or makeup (for teens) -
Gift cards (clothing, shoes, personal care) -
Art and drawing supplies (sketch pads, paints, craft sets)
How to Build a Care Backpack
Want to make an even bigger impact? Consider putting together a complete backpack for a child or teen in foster care.
Suggested contents:
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A sturdy backpack or tote -
Age-appropriate hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, lotion, wipes) -
A small comfort item (stuffed animal, journal, stress ball) -
Art or creative supplies (coloring book, sketch pad, crayons) -
A personal note or card of encouragement -
Optional: gift card ($10–$25) for clothing or a special treat -
Optional for teens: jewelry, perfume, makeup, or other self-care items
Please label each backpack with the intended age group: 3–6, 7–12, or 13–18.
Drop-Off Information
When: Monday–Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM
Where: Parks Operations Center
Attention: Volunteer Garland
525 Tower Street, Garland, TX 75040
You may donate items individually or organize a collection drive through your workplace, school, church, or civic group. To coordinate a drop-off, please email volunteer@garlandtx.gov to make sure someone is in the office. The nature of our work requires weekend and evening work, which means we have to balance our weekday office presence.
A Year-Round Program
The holidays are a special time to give, but this program continues year-round. Each donation helps children and teens entering foster care feel safe, valued, and cared for — not just during the holidays, but every season of the year.
Volunteer Hours for Donations
We know some students and community members are looking to complete volunteer hours. Donations count! If you bring items for this program, you can still acquire volunteer hours for your contribution.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Every donation — large or small — has the power to restore hope, dignity, and comfort to a child in foster care. Whether it’s a single toy, a pack of wipes, or a full backpack, your gift matters more than you know.
Together, we can remind every child entering foster care that they are seen, valued, and loved.
Questions or want to coordinate? Email: Volunteer@Garlandtx.org
