Sleep Country’s School Supply Drive for Foster Children Seeking More Donations

The Gig Harbor mattress store, along with the company’s other stores throughout the Northwest, is having one last big push for school supply donations for foster kids, now through Sept. 5.

“We just got our hands on new stats that show nearly one third of foster children experience ten or more school changes, and two thirds experience at least seven changes from elementary to high school,” said company spokesperson, Tanya Mahr. “That’s a lot of change, which often requires new supplies for each new classroom.”

With each school change, an estimated 4-6 months of educational progress is lost as foster children acclimate to their new class environment and study schedule, she added.

Washington and Oregon have more than 20,000 children in foster care; many have suffered the effects of poverty, neglect, and even abuse. Studies show that for many foster children, the challenges are just beginning, according to the company’s website.

The company lists other information about foster children:

• Each year, more than 10,000 Northwest children enter foster care.

• The majority of foster children have at least one chronic medical condition.

• Foster children experience 4 times the emotional problems as their peers.

• Foster children average three different placements, and nearly half do not return to live with their biological families.

• Foster children repeat a school grade twice as often as other students.

• They score 15-20 percent below other kids on statewide tests.

• 37 percent of foster youth drop out of high school, compared to 16 percent of the population.

• At age 18, 61 percent have no job experience and 1/3 end up on welfare.

• Within 18 months of aging out of the system, up to 50 percent of foster youth become homeless.

Donations of new school supplies can be made at any Sleep Country store. The store hours in Gig Harbor are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on store locations please visit http://www.sleepcountry.com or call 1-888-88-SLEEP.

Information for this story came from Sleep Country.