Operation Over the Rainbow

Operation Over the Rainbow is a project to collect and deliver journey bags to local Department of Social Services offices for distribution to foster children that come into care. Journey bags contain comfort and personal items for children to call their own when they are abruptly taken out of their homes. We are partnering with Foster Love Ministries, a local organization that provides support in a number of ways to foster children and their families. 

Last year, thanks to our generous community, we collected over 175 bags for foster children in need! That sounds like a lot of bags, but there is somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 children in care in Rockingham & Augusta counties. Most of the bags we collected last year have been distributed, and the need continues for new children coming into care.  The biggest need currently is for bags for ages infant to age 8.

You can help with this project in several ways!  Purchase one item, several items, or fill an entire journey bag!  Purchased items and/or completed bags can be dropped off at one of the locations below. You will also be able to purchase items from one of our Wishlists on Amazon and Target and have them shipped directly to us! 

For those that like to shop, check out the images at the bottom of the page for the requirements for each journey bag and suggestions on items to include. Pick an age and gender, then fill your bag (or select items to donate). Here's an example of a bag done for a teenage girl:

Backpack contents: Pajamas, underwear, brush & hair ties, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothbrush, coloring book, journal, colored pencils. 

Add a personal note of encouragement, and this bag is good to go!

For those that don't have time to shop but still want to help, you can visit one of our Operation Over the Rainbow wishlists.  Items on these wishlists can be shipped directly to Foster Love Ministries, and they'll be packed into journey bags for donation.  

Wishlists:

Amazon

Target 

Donation Drop-off Locations*:

Bare Construction
Monday-Friday 9 AM - 4:30 PM
106 Laurel Hill Road, Verona

Nisa's Cafe 
Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
11 Green Hills Drive, Verona

Augusta Health Care for Women
39 Beam Lane, Fishersville (Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)
110 Houston Street, Suite C, Lexington (Hours Vary)

RE/MAX Advantage
2017 W Main St., Waynesboro

McDonough Toyota
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
918 Richmond Road, Staunton

Sadie Rose House
Various hours; donations can be dropped off on the enclosed side porch (accessible from driveway) at any time.
195 Main Street, Dayton

*Check Back for updates as we add additional locations!


Bag Requirements: