WACO, TX — A Waco photographer is using her gift to collect money and supplies for foster children in Waco.
Trilby Trayler, owner of Twenty Toes Photography, offered holiday mini-sessions if customers made a donation to Foster Village Waco.
“I have asked all of my clients that come in to bring a brand name pair or shoes, a brand name pair of jeans or gift cards,” said Trayler.
In Central Texas, there over 5,600 children in foster care. They often have very few belongings when they come into the system. Foster Village Waco helps support families meet the needs of those children.
“When you’re a foster family and you receive children into your home, our boys came with nothing. They had shoes that didn’t fit. They came in diapers and a t-shirt,” said Crystal Radke, who adopted four children, three of whom came from the foster care system several years ago. She said community support is welcomed during the initial period of foster care.
“Even though the state does provide subsidy for those things, it was several weeks before they were reimbursed for those things, so organizations like this are important,” said Radke.
The drive is focused on supplying older children with the essentials.
“It’s so easy to buy that toy or go pick that frilly dress for a girl or that box of diapers, that toy. But the kids that really need stuff are the fourth graders and up that go to school and they may not have that brand name clothes, they do not have those nice tennis shoes,” said Trayler.
While the mini-sessions opportunity have ended, there are still opportunities to donate. Donations can be dropped off at Twenty Toes Photography, located at 3216 Ferndale Dr in Waco. The studio is open by appointment only, so please reach out to Trayler through her website.
