288 Bags of Hope were assembled and delivered to foster children in Northwest Florida.
Volunteers from Kiwanis, FPL, and local high school Key Club prepared the bags at Crosspoint Church in Niceville.
The bags provide essential items and comfort for children entering the foster care system.
The Kiwanis Foundation of Niceville-Valparaiso, in partnership with the NextEra Energy Foundation, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), and other Florida Division 1 Kiwanis Clubs, delivered 288 Bags of Hope to Northwest Florida Health Network in Pensacola on August 16, 2025.
The Bags of Hope program provides duffel bags filled with essential items, including toiletries, blankets, comfort items, and personal care products, for children entering the foster care system in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties. Many children in foster care arrive with little or no personal belongings, and the bags are intended to provide both practical support and a sense of dignity during the transition.
The assembly event took place at the Community Life Center of Crosspoint Church in Niceville. Volunteers included 21 Kiwanis members, six Niceville High School Key Club students, and two FPL representatives, who prepared the bags before delivering them to Northwest Florida Health Network for distribution throughout the year.
“This project truly demonstrates the power of community partnership,” said Dr. William (Bo) Arnold, President of the Niceville-Valparaiso Kiwanis Club. “Every bag represents compassion, hope, and a reminder to foster children that they are not forgotten.”
J.T. Young, Vice President and general manager of FPL’s Northwest region, said supporting initiatives like Bags of Hope aligns with the NextEra Energy Foundation’s mission to strengthen communities. “We are honored to support this project that builds networks of care for Northwest Florida’s most vulnerable children while providing immediate stability and comfort to those entering foster care,” Young said.
Funding for the initiative included a $3,000 grant from the NextEra Energy Foundation, a matching $3,000 contribution from the Kiwanis Foundation of Niceville-Valparaiso, and additional donations from other Division 1 Kiwanis Clubs.
The Kiwanis Foundation has led the Bags of Hope program for two years, aiming to ensure no child in Northwest Florida enters foster care without basic essentials.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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