"When children enter foster care, it is a crisis. They are scared because everyone they meet is a stranger," says Pamela Buehrle, Director of the Lehigh County Office of Children and Youth Services whose office works in the community with children and families.

"They are missing family, separated from their siblings, moved from school, friends, daily activities. Children long for their mother or father, no matter how difficult the situation is at home," Buehrle says.

Trying to find a way to ease the pain of at least some of these children, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Allentown, held a number of community think-tank forums with Beurhle. The vestry, or church council, identified the Office of Children and Youth and the children they serve in foster care as a priority project in need of support. Then, in early 2013, the St John's youth group, Inspire, got involved.

Those in the youth group wanted to ensure that the children coming into foster care knew that someone cared. They wanted the children to know that they matter, especially during this difficult time.

As a result, the youths embarked on an effort to fill backpacks with various personal items. The youths put the backpacks together and donated them to the county agency.

Children receive these backpacks when they enter foster care. Contents include important items: flashlights, toothbrushes, hair brushes, journals in which children can write down their feelings, fears and concerns, activity books, and even teddy bears, generously provided by Jim Socci of Artistic Toy, Allentown, which help make the removal process a little less traumatic for children.

Elizabeth Leibenguth, 14, acting as a spokesperson for Inspire, says, "The youth of St. John's are very thankful for the kindness that has been afforded to the children and families in Lehigh County. The Backpack Project exists for one reason: to ensure that our children are removed from danger with their self-respect in place."

The children keep the contents of the backpack, but hopefully they also keep the memory that, when their lives were dramatically changed, someone thought enough of them to give them a gift to help make them feel special.

You can be one of these people. Donate to the Backpack Project and give a child a backpack filled with love and hope for a better future.

Donations may be made to: St. John's Lutheran Church, 37 S. Fifth St., Allentown, Pa. 18101. Write "Backpack Project" in the subject line of the check.