Freeman and Artistry in Motion Raise Nearly $4,000 for Local Foster Children

SWEETWATER COUNTY — Thanks to Jess Freeman, Artistry in Motion, and other partners around the county, foster children in Sweetwater County will be able to transport their belongings in something better than a garbage bag.

Jess Freeman, an intern with Together We Rise and a former foster child herself, has been working to raise money for Sweet Cases. She has raised nearly $4,000 and gotten 107 Sweet Cases made for local children so far. Sweet Cases are duffel bags for the foster children to put their belongings in. They are filled with items like a soft teddy bear, a toothbrush, a blanket, coloring book, and crayons. And the bags are hand-decorated with penguins, princesses, and superheroes by volunteers.

Sweet Cases are duffel bags for the foster children to put their belongings in. They are filled with items like a soft teddy bear, a toothbrush, a blanket, coloring book, and crayons. And the bags are hand-decorated with penguins, princesses, and superheroes.

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“This fundraiser will allow dignity to be restored to foster children in Sweetwater County,” said Freeman. “Giving a child a Sweet Case allows our foster care children to know someone cares about them.”

Artistry in Motion chose Together We Rise for this year’s fundraiser. They sold t-shirts and collected donations during their winter recital, raising nearly $3,270.

Some of the local businesses that helped them get to the $4,000 mark include Cowboy Cares, Inc. and Commerce Bank of Wyoming.

“As many of you know, when a new project is started it is sometimes hard to raise funds for it. The community completely supported this fundraiser and I am thrilled that I was able to bring Together We Rise to our community,” said Freeman.

Freeman is still collecting donations for a second shipment of Sweet Cases. Her goal is to provide one for every foster child in Sweetwater County, which is generally between 160 and 200 at any given time. She would also like to make 40 extra Sweet Cases so that the Sweetwater County foster care coordinator can give them out in the future.

When Freeman receives the second shipment of Sweet Cases, she will host another decorating party. The public is welcome to help decorate the bags and let children know you care.

If you are interested in more information about this fundraiser, please check out this Facebook album.

You can donate at the Sweetwater County page for Together We Rise.
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