Over 20 years ago CAC founder, Cora Visscher and former Executive Director, Darcy Fluharty visited a CAC in Texas and envied their beautiful “store.” Cora’s dream was that one day, The Ed & Nancy Hanenburg Children’s Advocacy Center would also have a “store” filled with new, free, and donated items by members of our community that would help meet the needs of the families served. In 2018 this dream became a reality and was given the name “Cora’s Care Closet."
Cora passed away in 2023 however her legacy of caring for children and families will live on through Cora's Care Closet. Children who are removed or forced from their homes because of abuse or neglect often leave with nothing. Caregivers may be struggling to meet the new and unexpected needs of a child in crisis. Cora's Care Closet provides immediate access to brand new clothing, personal care products, home cleaning supplies, household items, baby gear, school supplies and more, completely free of charge. Cora's Care Closet and the team at the Ed & Nancy Hanenburg Children's Advocacy Center are dedicated to helping ensure safer environments and stabilized placements for our clients and families.
Ways to Give:
*Donate independently
*Become a Cora's Care Closet sponsor with monthly, quarterly, or yearly opportunities
*Coordinate a drive
For more information or to make a donation to Cora's Care Closet, please contact Cara Mazure at cmazure@cac-ottawa.org.
Click here for a list of our most in-demand items for Cora's Care Closet.
OTHER ITEM DONATIONS
CHILD THERAPY SUPPLIES
Washable markers, acrylic paints, small art canvases, paintbrushes, tempera paint scrapbooking materials, Hobby Lobby and Michael's gift cards. Moldable clay (non-bake variety). Stickers: bees, bugs, hearts, dots, smiling faces, band-aids, Glitter glue, Glue dots, journals, and thin and regular Sharpies.
DRINKS AND SNACKS FOR CLIENTS
Individually wrapped snacks, juice boxes, bottled water, Sam's Club and Meijer's gift cards.
IMPORTANT OFFICE SUPPLIES
Copy paper, postage stamps, manilla file folders (1/3 cut), office supply store gift cards.
ESSENTIALS
Sanitizing wipes, tissues, paper towel rolls, hand soap, Sam's Club gift cards, gas cards and fast food restaurant cards for court days.
BIG DREAMS
Donated breakfast and lunches for Center tours and Multidisciplinary Team case review meetings, frequent flier miles for staff to use for training, and advertising space in print and broadcast media.
