Story by Bridgette McAuliffe, Staff writer

Photo courtesy of Don Pratt

A Lexington, Kentucky native has dedicated his life to donating luggage to children in foster care throughout Kentucky.

For 20 years, Don Pratt has acted as a foster father to over 12 girls and 53 boys. All the while, he traveled the Commonwealth to donate luggage to foster children in need. He has seen firsthand the trauma of children, ripped away from their homes, with nothing more than a garbage bag to carry their luggage.

Pratt said this was never a formal organization, but something he started doing 20 years ago because it needed to be done.

When Pratt was a single foster father, people within his community took notice of his work and began donating luggage for children in the foster care system.

“When word got out, people who weren’t buying luggage brought over 500 pieces of luggage to the mall and then I had a lot of luggage to deliver throughout the state of Kentucky,” Pratt said.

This turned into a project to deliver suitcases, backpacks and duffle bags. Community members have come by the hundreds to donate to this project.

One tragic case that Pratt saw sheds light on the need for foster children to have something as simple as a backpack or suitcase. Pratt witnessed a mother and child get evicted from their home; the mother had to leave behind the child with just garbage bags.

“I had to go through their closet and pack everything into garbage bags without washing them,” Pratt said. “We were driving to Lexington and one of the trash bags ripped open, so we had to pick up all the clothes from the side of the road.”

Pratt said that the trauma of losing your lifestyle and only support system, especially as a kid, is damaging.

“It’s an embarrassment to move around in a garbage bag and go home in a garbage bag,” Pratt said. “If I can give this to them, I know it can help.”

Regardless of the massive need for programs like this, government organizations are hesitant to accept donations. Pratt said many individuals and organizations fear the transfer of bed bugs and germs.

“In reality, we, foster parents, risk that every time we bring a kid into our home,” Pratt said. “I don’t fear the worst, I just fear that the children will be moving in garbage bags when I can provide something that would help.”

He said he has not continued doing this for a personal gain. He does it because it is the right thing to do.

“It’s nice that other people feel good about donating, and I often get a wonderful thank you from social workers and organizations I deliver to,” Pratt said. “I just have a dream that kids can have a backpack to put their school lunches in and a suitcase.that they can take with them.”

Pratt runs this project from his own home. For information on how get involved with this project or how to donate, contact [email protected].