YOUNGSTOWN — Local organization Comfort and Hope has partnered with Mahoning County Children Services, Northeast Ohio Adoption Services and the Bair Foundation to help make birthdays a little brighter for children in foster care.

Throughout the year, Comfort and Hope provides birthday bags, gift cards, comfort blankets and holiday gifts to more than 600 youth from infants to teens age 22 in Mahoning County.

“Each month the Comfort and Hope Program delivers birthday bags. Each bag contains all new and age-appropriate toys, clothes, cozy blankets and other items a child may wish for or need,” explained Wanda Marland, founder of Comfort and Hope.

“The program is made possible by individuals, businesses and organizations who sponsor birthday bags, purchase items such as new toys, clothing and other child-friendly items. Comfort and Hope volunteers help assemble all of the birthday bags every month and all year long,” she said.

“Birthdays are an important milestone and celebration for any child — especially so for children in foster care who are in a very difficult and vulnerable time in their young life. The children have to depend upon other caregivers and not their parents to recognize and make their birthday special,” Jennifer Kollar of Mahoning County Children Services said.

To continue the Birthday Bag program, Comfort and Hope is planning a “Share the Love” event for noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 14 at New Life Church, 2250 E. Western Reserve Road, Poland.

It will feature food, snacks, themed baskets and 50/50 raffles, a children’s art activity center and more. All funds raised will benefit birthday bags for local children placed in foster care.

“A child’s birthday should be celebrated regardless of their situation, but especially so when they are in foster care, who are often going through a very difficult time. Thus, their birthdays are usually celebrated by others rather than their biological families. Comfort and Hope steps in to make sure these foster children and former foster youth receive birthday gifts and know that their special day matters,” Kathy Evans of Northeast Ohio Adoption Services said.

If you go …

WHAT: Share the Love event

Date: Oct. 14

Time: Noon to 3 p.m.

Location: New Life Church, 2250 E. Western Reserve Road, Poland