Child advocacy group giving care packages to Volusia children

A child advocacy group will soon show up to Volusia County homes with bikers to hand-deliver hundreds of care packages to children who might be struggling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

While Our Children First Foundation, Inc. has registered more than 100 children to receive care packages, the Volusia County nonprofit organization that advocates for child abuse victims hopes to sign up another 200. The care packages will be given to low-income children.

"We just really want to let these kids know that there are people out in the community that care about them," said Christina Markoff, chief executive officer of the Our Children First Foundation, Inc.

Parents have until Friday to register their children for care packages stocked with face masks, reading books, coloring books, crayons, toys, snacks and personal hygiene products.

The News-Journal is providing this important health and community recovery information for free. Help support our journalism. SUBSCRIBE HERE.The child welfare group received donations for the care packages from a number of community members, including Susan Masselle, president of Saint Bernadette Conference of Saint Vincent De Paul in Ormond Beach. The Catholic lay organization purchased reading books, toothbrushes and other supplies that will be given to children.

For Masselle, it was important to acknowledge that the pandemic has limited what children can do to entertain themselves. She stressed that it was important to help them get their hands on books during the months they spend stuck at home.

"It's a huge void that people don't think about when things like this happen," she said.

Markoff echoed her sentiments.

"We want to help occupy their time," she said. "It's been hard on these children, especially with being out of school and not being able to see their friends."

Our Children First Foundation, Inc. will begin delivering the care packages on July 11 to children who reside in Daytona Beach, Port Orange and South Daytona. After that initial date, the organization will continue to drop off care packages to children who live in other areas throughout the county.

Parents and children must be home to receive the care packages. Child advocates and bikers who volunteer to drop off the care packages will maintain at least six feet distance between them and the families.

Bikers from the Association of Recovering Motorcyclists and Recovering Women Riders will ride past the homes of children set to receive the care packages.

"It's a fun experience for the kids to be able to see a bunch of bikes," Markoff said. "The bikes seem to be very empowering for them, and we're trying to lift their spirits at this time."

Most parents have sent the nonprofit organization a Facebook message to sign up their children to receive care packages. The Facebook page can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/nonprofitourchildrenfirst/. While parents can continue to register through direct message, the organization can also be reached by phone at 386-866-0044.

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