Sudbury woman wants Children's Aid wards to leave with more than just a garbage bag

A woman in Sudbury, Ont.,is trying to give wards of the Children's Aidsome comfort and dignity and she's asking the public forhelp.

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Lee-AnnWottonis behind a campaign in Sudbury called"Just in Case," which is collectingused suitcases for children and teens andwho are removed from their homes by CAS.

Wotton said it broke herheart to learn that sometimes,kids leave an already traumatic situation with all of their belongings stuffed into a blackplastic bag.

"Everything is taken away from them, and then just to have some safe place something that is their own instead of a black plastic bag," she said.

"I think they're going to have comfort [from the suitcases]," Wottoncontinued."They're so ... distraught because they're taken away from the home, and it's always sudden."

Wottonsaideach suitcase given to a child will contain a stuffed animal, a throw blanket and a special note.

"They're going to have some things [in the suitcase] that are new and give them comfort. Ijust hope that it makes them smile," she said.

So far,Wotton said herFacebookcampaign has collected close to 30 suitcases, and theChildren's Aid Society has offered to make sure they reach kids in need.

People who are interested in donating a suitcase, blanket or stuffed toy can drop items off Wednesday night at 5:00 p.m. at theBetter Beginnings, Better Futures parking lot on Morin Street in Greater Sudbury.