Carrie Wesseler has made a difference in many children’s lives through her efforts with Totes for Tots and Teens (Project T3).

“While my husband Neil and I were going through preservice training to become licensed foster parents, we discovered that when a child was placed in foster care, they were given a trash bag to put their belongings in.”

That broke her heart because “trash bags are meant for trash, not a child’s prized possessions .... We had also discovered that a lot of the children did not have belongings to take with them.”

In August 2005, the Batesville resident founded Project T3, which provides children in foster care with overnight bags filled with comfort and hygiene items (stuffed animal, blanket, diary/journal, small toy, activity book, crayons, pencils, reading book, toothbrush, toothpaste and comb) when they are removed from their homes. Each also receives a backpack filled with school supplies.

“I rounded up a few volunteers and started asking the public for donations,” which were taken to the Ripley County Department of Child Services.

“The response from the public was overwhelming, and before long we had more overnight bags and items than Ripley County needed. We then started asking other counties in the southeastern Indiana area if they would like overnight bags for their children as well.

“To date, we have delivered 728 overnight bags and 248 backpacks. Since January 2009, 122 overnight bags have been filled and delivered. We are expecting to fill and deliver over 600 backpacks this school year.”

The mother of three realizes the importance of providing these for the youth. “Caseworkers have reported that the items can be very helpful in keeping the child occupied while the adults fill out the necessary paperwork and discuss arrangements during the removal process.”

Wesseler says, “My 10- and 7-year-olds enjoy helping me fill the overnight bags .... I want them to learn selflessness and compassion for others. I also want them to learn to appreciate what they have because not every child is so lucky.”

Project T3 services 13 Indiana counties – Ripley, Franklin, Decatur, Shelby, Bartholomew, Fayette, Dearborn, Ohio, Switzerland, Jefferson, Jackson, Jennings and Scott. “Without the help of volunteers, it would not be possible to help the foster children in all of these counties.

“There are several ways the people can get involved .... Brand new backpacks and all types of school supplies are our most immediate need as the new school year is fast approaching. For the overnight bags, we are needing blankets or someone to make them, travel size shampoos, toothpaste, deodorant ... and baby items such as 24-month onesies, bibs, brand new bottles and pacifiers, travel size diaper wipes, shampoo, lotion and baby bath.”

“Right now, the other items we fill the overnight bags with as well as the overnight bags themselves are well stocked thanks to the many donations we have received recently,” Wesseler adds.

“Volunteers are also needed to drive the overnight bags and backpacks to each county. We have a planning meeting on (Monday) June 29 at the Batesville Memorial Public Library at 7 p.m. Anyone who would like to volunteer or just help with ideas is welcome.”

She notes, “Project T3 has filed for a 501(c)3 with the Internal Revenue Service, but has not received this nonprofit status at this time. However, we are certified by the state of Indiana as a valid Indiana nonprofit corporation.

“Part of the fundraising efforts ... is to collect old broken crayons and make them new again. We melt down the old crayons and pour the hot wax into molds. Our most popular crayons are cell phones, princesses, flip flops, transportation vehicles and dinosaurs.”