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It Pays to Ask for Help

Asking for help has never been my thing. Maybe it comes from some childhood moment I can’t quite remember, or maybe it’s just baked into my DNA—but for me, asking for help has always been hard.


And that, my friends, makes running a nonprofit a real challenge. For what it's worth, it also made fostering tough at times.


But last month, I was reminded just how powerful it can be to simply ask. Consider this my note to “future Traci” (and all of you get to hold me accountable!):


Earlier this month, we were blessed with a huge donation from Walmart—FOUR pallets of items for foster families. The only catch? They were in southeast Iowa, three hours away from Ankeny. Normally, I would’ve rented a truck, tracked down a driver, and spent money (and time) I don’t really have. Instead, I thought about one of my board members (shout out to Amy Murray!) who is married to a guy who manages a trucking company (shout out to MIKE Murray and Tax Airfreight). A few quick emails later, Mike arranged to pick up the pallets—turns out he drives that route every Tuesday! Bonus: he even stored the items until our amazing volunteers from American Equity helped us unpack them.


Because I asked, those pallets are already making their way into the hands of foster families. It pays to ask for help. Even when it’s hard.


Practice makes perfect so, I’m practicing right now. Here are the top ways Foster SQUAD could use YOUR help right now:

Office/Warehouse Space

With the launch of Equip Hub, we need a bigger "home" that includes both offices and storage. Ideally, we’d love to stay headquartered in Ankeny.  Since we started, Foster SQUAD has operated out of basements, garages, storage units, and shared space at the Community Resource Connection—so funding could go directly to kids. But now, the needs have outgrown those spaces and we need to take this big step. If you know of an office space, or if you'd like to join our Growing Together for Iowa's Kids Campaign, sign up here!

 

Operation Santa Supporters

Operation Santa is kicking off soon! In a couple of weeks, foster families will begin submitting wish lists—and we will need generous “elves” to sponsor those lists or donate financially. Signing up now builds a strong foundation for holiday joy. www.fostersquad.org/santa


Equip Hub Listings

Equip Hub is live in Boone, Story, Marshall, Dallas, Polk, Jasper, Madison, Warren, and Marion counties. We want to keep it stocked with baby gear, bedroom furniture, and more so when a foster family has a need, we can fulfil it quickly. You can sign up now and post items you want to donate. If you don't have items to donate, you can still help by making a financial donation so we have funds available to purchase needed items when they aren't already available in the hub.

Foster parents in these counties: create your account today at www.fostersquad.org/equiphub.


Monthly Donors

Sustainability matters. One-time gifts are wonderful, but monthly donations keep Foster SQUAD strong. Even $25/month allows us to say “yes” when unexpected needs arise. If your employer offers a match, consider payroll deduction so your gift goes even further.


And if those big asks don’t fit your situation, here are five simple ways you can support a foster family today:

  • Drop off dinner.

  • Offer to babysit.

  • Mow the lawn (or shovel snow soon enough!).

  • Send flowers to remind them they’re appreciated.

  • Give a gas card (trust me, they drive a lot).


At Foster SQUAD, we’re building a culture where asking for help is okay—and where answering that call makes a difference. Thank you for being part of this mission. We couldn’t do it without you.


Now I’m going to ask my husband to help by cooking dinner. I’m already getting better at this!


 
 
 

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