Foundation That Supports Foster Kids Reaches Milestone

January 16, 2017  by Larry Thomas in Community / Charitable Support, Industry   

The group collects essential items such as shoes, school supplies, coats, pajamas, clothing and toys at donation drives in 43 states.

"Our mission at the Ticket to Dream foundation is to provide hope and opportunity to foster kids across the nation so they can just be kids," said Gina Davis, president and executive director of the foundation. "The generosity of our communities and valuable partners over the past 10 years has been phenomenal. The impact of these donations is far-reaching and we are so grateful to anyone who buoyed our efforts through the donation of a pajama, pair of shoes, clothing item, back-to-school supplies or toys.

Items collected at donation drives are then distributed to 150 carefully chosen nonprofit partners in the communities in which they were collected.

Carlsen founded California-based mattress retailer Sleep Train. The company was acquired by Mattress Firm in 2015, and the Sleep Train Foster Kids and Mattress Firm Foster Kids programs continue to support the Ticket to Dream Foundation.

Sleep Train Foster Kids was established in 2008, and in addition to the six donation drives, also hosts the Sleep Train Pajama Bowl and the Sleep Train Charity Golf Classic to raise funds for foster children. Mattress Firm Foster Kids was launched in 2015, and recently partnered with world champion gymnast and former foster child Simone Biles to help create awareness of the program.

"Our partnership with Sleep Train and Mattress Firm over the years has allowed us to reach thousands and thousands of foster kids. Together we have boosted their self-esteem with properly fitting clothing, allowed them to run faster with new shoes and have the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. We've proved over and over again that while not everyone can be a foster parent, anyone can help a foster child," said Davis.