Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE -- On Jan. 13, 25 Georgia Cancer Specialists offices, including the Lawrenceville location, are participating in the 10th annual Totes 2 Tots event, a suitcase drive for foster children.

"For the last 10 years, we've been running this event over MLK weekend to support Dr. King's vision of volunteering and giving back to the community," Mary Beth Shoffstall of the Lawrenceville GCS office said. "We collect for the foster kids ... and donate all of the bags to DFCS."

Last year, the Lawrenceville office collected approximately 300 bags. Over the past decade, the suitcase drive as collected more than 25,000 bags for foster children around Georgia.

Totes 2 Tots asks for bags that are "very lightly used" or new, which include small suitcases, duffle bags and bookbags.

"We get a lot of purses, but we're not after that kind of stuff," Shoffstall said. "We want bags that children can hold clothing and other odds and ends as they travel."

The event brought in many people from around the community last year despite a change in dates because of the ice storm, and they hope for a larger turn out this year.

"I think (the donation) is an easy thing," Shoffstall said. "It could make that situation a little bit brighter for a child who's going through foster care. There's a whole list of negatives for that situation. If they get a new bag, they will feel like someone cares about them, which is a good beginning to a sometimes long process."

The drive is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 698 Duluth Highway, Suite 201 in Lawrenceville.

For more information or to see the full list of participating offices, visit www.gacancer.com or www.facebook.com/Totes2Tots.