Inner Banks Hotline in Columbia was recently given 20 bookbags designed to comfort children who must flee to a shelter to avoid domestic violence.

“When a family is in crisis, the parent and one or more children may have to leave their home quickly, and most of the time the child is not able to bring a favorite blanket or toy,” stated Inner Banks Hotline Director Janie Spencer.

Each bag contains toiletries, blankets, crayons, coloring books, games and a stuffed animal.

“Inner Banks Hotline is truly thankful for the donation, and for the spirits and hearts of these young ladies,” Spencer commented.

Ashlin Elliott of Columbia, a senior at UNC Chapel Hill majoring in Public Relations, contacted Spencer and told her that Inner Banks Hotline had been chosen as recipient of a project she and three other university seniors had developed with funds given to them by the Golden Leaf Scholarship Leadership Foundation Grant.

Besides Elliott the project developers were Kimberly Ange, UNC Wilmington majoring in Elementary Education; Emily Box, Campbell University majoring in Nursing; and Breonna Fain, East Carolina University majoring in Pre-Med Biology.

“Their act of kindness will not truly be known by these young ladies,” said Spencer, “because they will not be present to see the faces of the children light up as they receive these bookbags when they have to leave home.”