Dedicated to Giving Comfort Bags to Foster Children
Our Team
LaJuana Moser Founder & Executive Director
E-Mail: [email protected]
Tel: (760) 373-7632
LaJuana Moser was a foster parent for over 24 years. During that time she cared for over 150 foster children and adopted 5 of them. She was saddened to see so many of the children coming to her home with nothing in hand. Foster kids coming from other foster homes came with their items in trash bags. Foster children in crises came with nothing at all.
One day while watching the Oprah show she was amazed by a young man who collected suitcases for Foster children. This man’s idea inspired her, so she prayed to God for ways in which she could help. She wanted to do more for these kids than just provide for them in her own home. Thus, she began filling backpacks and diaper bags and giving them to children in crises situations, in hopes of giving them pride and dignity.
Over the years Mrs. Moser has added other programs to bags4kids such as giving prom dresses to any girl in need. Helping social workers and police officers acquire beds, bedding, clothing, shoes and school bags for their clients or a child they have come into contact with that very day. Bags are made twice a year for teens living in group homes locally. There are clothing/shoe give away days. Formula, food and diapers are also given locally, when in stock. Birthday and holiday gifts are also given to foster children through foster parent agencies and county offices. Over 170,000 bags have been given since it began in June 2002.
LaJuana Moser
Founder & Executive Director
Tom Howard Vice Chairman
Tom’s career had kept him in various positions at Rio Tinto Minerals for 38 years. Upon retiring in 2003, Tom has devoted his time to Bags4Kids, helping in all areas of the foundation and where the most needs are required day by day.
Tom Howard
Vice Chairman
Danielle Brook Secretary
Danielle began volunteering for us in 2002. She graduated with her Master’s Degree in Counseling and helping people is her greatest passion in life. She currently resides in Denver, CO and is working with foster youth by providing mentors for them. “Volunteering for Bags4Kids opened up my eyes at a young age to the many needs of foster kids and volunteering has reminded me that anyone at any age can make a difference to these kids.”
Danielle Brook
Secretary
Alicia Armstrong Volunteer since 2002
Alicia is currently a nanny for three families down in Orange County, while furthering her education in Child Development. Her passion is photography and helping people. She really enjoys volunteering for bags4kids when she can and helping spread the word.
Alicia Armstrong
Volunteer since 2002
Regina Armstrong Volunteer since 2002
Regina is the owner of Extensions Dance Studio and works with foster children.
Regina Armstrong
Volunteer since 2002
Amanda Collins and Mr. B Volunteers
Amanda Collins and her son Mr. B are also volunteers. Both of them often make videos for us. Amanda is also employed at NASA research.
Amanda Collins
Volunteer
Sadie Calvano Actress and Bags4Kids Spokesperson
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sadiecalvano
I first learned about Bags4Kids in the summer of 2009. My temple encourages Hebrew students to initiate a mitzvah project in order to contribute to the community and to help others less fortunate, as part of becoming a Jewish adult. In case you don’t know, a mitzvah is something like a good deed. So, in preparation for my bat mitzvah, I began thinking about something that I could do that would be meaningful.
It was August and we were shopping for my new backpack, as we did before school began every year, when I realized that between my friends and I we must have dozens of previously used, but perfectly good back packs. I began searching the internet to see where they could be donated and I stumbled across Bags4Kids. I had never before thought about how it must feel to be taken away from your parents, and your home, and sometimes even separated from your sisters and brothers. I loved that Bags4Kids was there to try and make things less scary and sad for these kids. I especially loved that they were based within driving distance, were small enough that my help might really make an impact, and that their work directly helped to improve the lives of kids.
So, that’s how it began. I collected backpacks and comfort items and my mom made arrangements for us to deliver them to LaJuana Moser, Bags4 kids amazing founder. I thought that would be where the story ended but instead, that is where it began.
LaJuana gave my mom and I some completed packs to deliver to foster kids in our community. We went to the Department of Child and Family Services in Chatsworth. The kids were so surprised and happy to receive the packs. I immediately understood why LaJuana started Bags4Kids and how very important the work they did really was.
After my Bat Mitzvah in 2010, I started acting professionally and I decided that if I was lucky enough to someday have some celebrity, I would like to use it to help this amazing cause.
In the meantime, I am happy to try and help raise awareness about the problems foster kids face and how Bags4Kids everyday is working to make their lives a little better.
SADIE'S BIO
Since she was seven, Sadie has been performing in musicals. Favorite past roles include Alice in ALICE IN WONDERLAND (2008) at the El Portal (NoHo) and Belle in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (2008) at The Barnsdall Theatre (Hollywood). In 2010, Sadie received glowing reviews as Christina in Crown City Theatre’s four week smash run of A CHICAGO CHRISTMAS CAROL in between playing Sharpay in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL (2009) and Tallulah in BUGSY MALONE (2011) both at the Madrid Theatre (Canoga Park). Then, in 2012, Sadie originated the role of Jenny in the original musical production PEARLY GATES for a three city run at the El Portal Theatre, Lancaster Arts Center and Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.
When she was almost 13, Sadie’s professional career began. Sadie’s first role was a guest star appearance on Chris Elliot’s Eagleheart in the summer of 2010, followed by a co-star role on NCIS as William Devane's kidnapped granddaughter for which she received a YAA Best Actress nomination.
Sadie made her big screen debut as Leonardo DiCaprio’s niece in the Clint Eastwood bio-epic "J. Edgar." Other credits include a couple of pilots, guest star appearances on "Kickin' It" and "Crash & Bernstein" and a recurring role on "Melissa & Joey." Premiering this fall, September 23, 2013 on CBS, Sadie will be portraying Anna Faris’ teenage daughter in the new Chuck Lorre comedy “MOM” which will air Mondays at 9:30pm.
Sadie still spends her summers at Stagedoor Manor, the acclaimed New York theatre intensive whose alumni include Jon Cryer, Natalie Portman, and Shawn Levy.
Sadie is also the National Spokesperson for Bags4Kids, an organization that provides comfort items and support for distressed foster children.
Sadie is represented by Wendi Green and Jennifer Millar at Paradigm. www.sadiecalvano.com
Our Donors
The Bags4Kids program is possible because of the generosity of organizations, companies and individuals who believe in our cause and see the need to make a difference in a helpless child’s life. Our list is growing everyday and we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
- Aimmee Calvano
- Airmans Attic-Edwards Air Force Base
- Alicia Armstrong
- Allergan Medical Affairs
- Allie Mae and Ruben Perez
- Alpha Iota (A.V.C. Honor Society)
- Andy Gillium
- Angie & Kobie Parker
- Antelope Valley Press, Palmdale
- Antelope Valley Touring Society
- Anthony and Karen Ayala
- Al and Millie Fernald
- Al’s Sew and Vac – Lancaster, CA
- Alta One Federal Credit Union
- Alyssa Rosen
- Amanda Collins
- AmazonSmile
- Auto Zone
- AV Board of Realtors
- AV Riders
- B.N.S.F. Railway
- BABIES R US
- Bakersfield Californian
- Bank of Sierra
- Bank of the West
- Betty Platero
- Big Love Co.
- Bill and Melinda Bentz
- Blattner Energy
- Bob and Carol Friedman
- Bob and Mary Coker
- Bohn’s Printing
- Brenda Norton
- Brian Campbell
- Bridget Dixon
- The Build-a-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation
- Cal City Community Church
- Cal City Community Club
- Cal City Correctional Facility
- California Compaction Corp.
- Candy Rodio
- Cassee Bone
- Charles Miller
- Charrise Marsh
- Children’s Bureau – Palmdale, CA
- Christine Reinhardt
- Christine Wyatt
- Christy Hicks – Palmdale High School
- Chuck and Jeannie Gregg
- Coastal Children’s Learning Center
- Costco Wholesale Inc.
- Crazy 8
- Dalia Gagne
- Dan Rosen
- Darlene Gregg & Family
- Dan and Annette Jones
- Dan and Teresa Maupin
- David and Peggy Dodd
- Dawn Richards
- Diane Perry
- Disneyland
- DKE Toys Inc.
- Doreen Evans
- Dr. Nick & Staff
- Dr. Snow & Staff
- EDC of California City
- ERC
- Extensions Performing Arts Academy
- Family Dollar Store
- Felicia Stephens & Family
- Frank and Roz Pinkus
- Fred Johnson
- G.A.V.A.R.
- Gene & Vicki Talaga
- Grace Resource Center
- Gymboree
- Hallmark Club of A.V.
- Harriet Spann
- Hasbro Toys, Inc.
- Heidi Campos
- High Desert Cycle
- IKEA
- Jacquliene Higgins
- Janet Eppers
- Jeff and Debbie Burrows
- Jennifer Harvey
- Jennifer Huard – The Right Shade of Wow
- Jill and Jane
- Jim Miller
- Joe and Jodi Messenger
- John and Debbie Wupperfeld
- Jonathan Leuing
- Joy Densford
- JP Morgan Chase Foundation
- Mr. & Mrs. John Borowicz
- Justin and Regina Armstrong
- Karen Sanders
- Karma City, Inc
- Kayla Ramzee
- Keller Williams Realty – Palmdale, CA
- Ken Lance
- Kenneth and Eileen Norris Foundation
- Kieter Family Foundation
- Kiewit Employees
- Kiwanis Club – Antelope Valley, CA
- Knights of Columbus Hall (Lancaster, CA)
- Laura Weinbrecht
- Leslie Ament
- Lindsey & Andrew Gluck
- Lisa Mitcheltree
- Lisa Ruby
- Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation
- Lynn Groenveld
- Mad Ink
- Major League Baseball N.Y.
- Marchia Forber
- Maria Moreno
- Marla Dennis
- Mary Ann Jackson
- Mary Heeb Photography
- Mary Kay/Maria Williford
- Mary Odehnal
- Matt Abraham
- Matt and Carol Bergman
- Mattel Toys Inc.
- Mended Hearts – Lancaster, CA
- Meredith Graham
- Melinda Khechumyan
- Mojave Desert Newspaper
- Mojave Industrial Tools
- Mommy and Me -Quartz Hill, CA
- Mommy and Me -West Palmdale, CA
- Mr. and Mrs. Dan Jones
- Mr. and Mrs. Doug Martin
- Mr. and Mrs George Lewis
- Mr. and Mrs. Jack O’Connor
- Mr. and Mrs. Singleton
- Mr. and Mrs. Squires
- Mr. Milton Valera
- Mt Bible Church Tehachapi
- New Hope Church Q.H.
- Nickelodeon/MTV
- Norm and Kathy Phillips
- Office Depot
- Office Max
- Old Tin Car Club
- Optimist Club of California City
- Optimist Family Youth Homes
- Pam Dunning
- Pastor and Mrs. Edmund Jones
- Pattern LA
- Peggy Schmidt
- Pioneer Albums, Inc
- Professional Pipeline
- Rite Aid
- Rite Aid Kids Cents Charity
- Rebecca Alexander
- Robyn White
- Ron and Carol Easton
- Rosales Family
- Ryan & Jayde
- Sadie Calvano (actress)
- St Paul’s School
- Sam’s Club
- Sara Kirk
- Sharon D. Lund Foundation
- Stanley and Barbara Glick
- Stann Shepered
- Stater Brothers Foundation
- Success Foundation
- Sundt Construction Foundation
- Susan and Michael Knapp
- Sword Cosplay Colorado Springs, CO
- Target Foundation– Lancaster, CA
- Teamworks Salon & Tanning
- Terra CRG
- Terra Gen Energy
- Terra Kirsh
- The Avenue Store
- The Boys and Girls Club – Lancaster, CA
- The Cub Scouts – California City, CA
- The Flower Shoppe
- The Goldsmith Family Fd
- The Mugswap
- The Sigaloff Revocable Trust
- The WHO Foundation
- Thirty-One Gifts
- Thomas and Dorothy Leavey FD
- TJX Foundation
- TOYS R US
- Travel + Leisure Magazine
- Trisha Grove
- Union Pacific Railway
- Valerie Brown
- Village Square Dental-Tehachapi
- Walmart Inc.
- Wasteland Week-end-event
- Willie and Nathan Garson