Jan. 1, 1970
North Texas book blogger is on a mission to bring comfort to kids entering foster care
DALLAS — For children entering the foster care system, life can change in an instant. A sudden move means having to pack their things very quickly. And sometimes, those belongings are packed into something as impersonal as a garbage bag.
One North Texas woman is hoping to make that transition less traumatic.
Stephanie Hinderliter, known online as Book Thoughts with Steph, has partnered with Comfort Cases on a mission to collect 2,400 books for 2,400 children entering foster care.
Comfort Cases is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing children entering foster care with backpacks and essential items to help make an often-difficult transition less traumatic.
For Hinderliter, the opportunity to help was an easy decision.
“They do some incredible work for the kids in the foster care system and I was like more than happy to help,” she said.
A lifelong love of reading inspired Hinderliter to turn her passion into something meaningful for children who need extra comfort.
She created an Amazon wish list featuring books she personally selected, from childhood favorites like The Berenstain Bears to popular titles like Harry Potter.
The response has already exceeded her expectations.
“I have almost 200 books purchased off of my wish list which has far exceeded my expectations,” Hinderliter said.
But this effort is about more than putting books on shelves. It’s about giving children something of their own during a time when so much may feel out of their control.
The books will be included in Comfort Cases during the organization’s 24-hour Pack-A-Thon, scheduled for Nov. 20-21, ahead of National Adoption Day.
Hinderliter hopes each child who receives a book feels a personal connection to it and understands that someone took the time to choose something just for them.
“Just that it was picked out just for them and that they are incredibly special and they are incredibly loved and you can escape in a book and this book was meant to find you,” she said.
Her goal is straightforward: 2,400 books for 2,400 children.
And if Hinderliter has one message for the children receiving those books, it’s this:
“You are loved. You are cherished and I want to do everything I can to help you.”
How to help
Community members can help Hinderliter reach her goal by purchasing a book through her Amazon wish list. The link is available on her Instagram page, Book Thoughts with Steph.
Books purchased through the wish list will go to Comfort Cases and be distributed as part of this year’s Pack-A-Thon.
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