After a successful rescue operation conducted by Georgia’s U.S. Marshals, donations are pouring in to help the 39 missing kids who were found with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
The local community has joined in to offer supplies to help them get back on their feet.
Operation Not Forgotten, a two-week sting operation conducted late August, retrieved 26 children and located 13 more in connection with a suspected sex-trafficking network.
Unable to accept used items due to health and safety restrictions, the group was collecting gift cards for clothing, school supplies, toiletries, and games.
“If we receive more than is needed, we will donate the other items to various crisis centers that also have children,” they added, before signing off with a pronouncement, “Our community is amazing!”
Besides individual donors and BAA Intl., Georgia-based nonprofits such as Gigi’s House, A Friend’s House, the Haven House, and the Raise Me Up Foundation have stepped up to offer their support for the rescued kids.
The donation drive is also inspiring acts of generosity aimed at other needy kids in the state of Georgia. All American Pizzeria owner Lauren Williams donated pizzas to a care home for abused and neglected foster kids after a customer made the suggestion.
“[W]e said, ‘Sure, of course. As a matter of fact, we’d actually like to do one better and get involved,’” Williams told the news outlet. “We quickly realized we’re going to need more vehicles to drop off donations.”
“These missing children were considered to be some of the most at-risk and challenging recovery cases in the area,” said Donald Washington, director of the U.S. Marshals Service, adding, “One missing child is worth thousands, in my mind, of fugitives that we go out and get.”
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