Everything You Need to Know About Rayola Care Packages

From the time a child enters foster care until the time they age out, and every holiday in between, Rayola has a care package helping to inspire hope, comfort, and a sense of belonging.

By Jude Henrie and Savannah Beth Withers Taylor

When a child enters a new foster home, everything in that home is borrowed. The blankets, the food, the parents, the soap, the home: all borrowed. When Rayola delivers a care package to a child, it isn’t something borrowed; it is all their own. 

Owning the items in the care package gives each child a sense of self, a sense of connection, and a sense of independence. Each of Rayola’s entry care packages comes with a handmade quilt just for the child. There’s no need for them to ask permission to use their care package items or to snuggle with their new blanket because it is all theirs. 

Often, these items also help build better connections between the child and others in the home and help the child feel more at home as they have their very own items to use and manage as they see fit. 

Rayola works with dedicated case workers to deliver our care packages directly to the children in need. Case workers and foster parents have told us that the children are always thrilled when a package comes for them, and case workers specifically enjoy delivering the packages because they help build trust and connection with the child. Instead of only visiting when there is bad news or for a check-in, case workers can make visits special with a care package. 

“I often worry about how effective our efforts are. I don’t want to just do something to do something; I want to make a difference, and I know Rayola is,” says Keri Withers, President and Founder of Rayola. “I don’t think the people on the front lines of foster care would be as supportive and willing to help if they weren’t seeing real results from our care packages. They consistently affirm how helpful the packages are.”

Rayola’s mission is to provide a sense of belonging and comfort to children in foster care and any child in need. Our various care packages are the vehicle we use to deliver that comfort and care. Specifically, we curate and distribute two main types of care packages: Entry Quilt & Care Packages and Holiday Care Packages. 

Hand-sewn items for Rayola care packages for children in foster care in Northern Michigan.

What’s inside an entry quilt and care package?

The heart of what we do lies in the details of each care package. Every item inside is chosen to comfort, uplift, and meet real needs. We design each package to suit the age of the child receiving it, from infants to teenagers, so that every bag feels personal and thoughtful.

Entry quilt and care packages are uniquely special because they always include a quilt for the child. While these quilts range in size, on average, it takes a quilter 12 hours and $100 to create the finished blanket. 

But why do we make the quilts and other sewn items for our care packages? Why not buy a blanket instead? This question comes up often, and it is valid to ask. Buying blankets would be cheaper and simpler. 

Withers explains, “We could just buy fleece blankets. They are warm and cozy and comforting. But quilts are better. They take time. They take care. Even if our quilters and these children never meet, there is support and care intrinsically woven into the fabric of a quilt. If going to the store and buying a blanket was the same as a quilt, then no one would quilt. But we still do. We quilt for our children and grandchildren and loved ones everywhere. Rayola helps focus that love on children in foster care and any child in need. The love and care that goes into a quilt proves that it is different, and it is worth it.”

For infants (Ages 0-2)

When a baby enters foster care, they receive an entry quilt and care package that feels like a community baby shower in a bag. Inside is a soft handmade quilt, crafted by one of our volunteers. Alongside it, we include practical items like burp cloths, baby wipes, gentle shampoo, lotion, diaper ointment, and a diaper bag. 

We add extra pacifiers, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a hairbrush, and small touches like a board book and toy to encourage comfort and play. Everything is delivered ready for a foster parent to use right away. Each item serves a purpose, but together they send a simple message: this child is loved and cared for.

“Foster parents sometimes find out a child is on their way an hour before they arrive. Rayola finds out a child will be placed soon after and quickly gets a care package together. For our infant packages, while the quilt is a long-term item for the child, many of the other items are included with the foster family in mind,” Withers says. “The time it takes to care for a child as a foster parent is immense. Anything we can provide to help these families care for the children is invaluable as the more we can support foster families, the better the care the children have.”

For young children (Ages 3–7)

As kids grow, so do their needs and imaginations. Our entry quilt and care packages for ages three through seven include a quilt and two pillowcases to make bedtime cozy. We add a stuffed animal for comfort, a card game or puzzle for fun, and creative supplies like books, markers, crayons, colored pencils, and coloring books. A small journal and fidget toy encourage expression and calm.

We also include a duffel bag and zipper pouch with basic toiletries—shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste—so kids can feel clean and confident.

These packages are designed to brighten each day and remind a child that there is a community of people cheering them on.

For pre-teens and teenagers (Ages 8+)

For our pre-teens, we build on everything in the younger packages and add a few extra touches for growing needs. These kids receive a quilt, two pillowcases, two age-appropriate books, a card game, and a journal.

We include personal care items like shampoo and conditioner, soap, washcloths, lotion, deodorant, nail clippers, chapstick, face wash, and makeup wipes. Q-tips, brushes, and hygiene kits with toothbrushes and toothpaste help them feel fresh and independent.

“Imagine you are packing to go away for a long weekend,” Withers says. “That is what we try to include in our care packages for pre-teens and teens.”

The items are delivered along with a durable duffel bag that they can take with them wherever life leads. These small personal items can mean the world to a young person trying to regain a sense of normalcy.

Christmas stocking for Rayola's Christmas care package for children in foster care in Northern Michigan.

How much does an entry quilt and care package cost?

The quilts in each of these care packages come from our volunteers’ donated time, money, and efforts. Rayola also has a Walmart “Registry for Good,” where anyone can purchase and donate items for the care packages. When all’s said and done, each care package Rayola delivers contains between $100-$150 worth of items. 

“There is a general idea sometimes that foster families care for these children to make money. That is absolutely false. Caring for an infant, a child, or a teenager is not cheap—emotionally or monetarily. Rayola’s care packages are also not cheap to create, but anything we can do to contribute to caring for children in need will always be worth it,” Withers says. 

What goes into a holiday care package?

After a child enters foster care and receives their entry quilt and care package, Rayola continues to deliver holiday and milestone care packages to them throughout their time in care. So far in 2025, our organization has created care packages for Valentine’s Day, summer break, and Halloween. We are currently working on Christmas packages. In the past, we have also done packages for back-to-school. As our organization grows, we hope to add more holidays and special occasion care packages to our list!

“Rayola’s holiday packages let the children we serve know we are thinking about them,” Withers says. “Just like you would send gifts and cards to loved ones, we want to send our care and support throughout the year and throughout each child’s time in foster care.”

Valentine’s Day & Halloween

For Valentine’s Day and Halloween, Rayola volunteers create themed bags to deliver along with an age-appropriate, themed book. The bags can be used to collect candy at school or while trick-or-treating, and foster parents tell us that the children often use them throughout the year to hold and gather other special items. Each of these care packages costs around $15. 

Summer

Our summer care packages include coloring books, crayons, watercolors, bubbles, sunglasses, scavenger hunt sheets, sidewalk chalk, and age-appropriate books. These items are tucked neatly into a larger, handmade tote bag, perfect for taking on outdoor activities or on trips to the library. A summer care package costs around $25 to create.

Christmas

Christmas care packages vary depending on age. Every Christmas care package includes a handmade Christmas stocking and, depending on the year, other handmade gifts such as pocket pillows, ornaments, or crayon holders. For infants, the package always includes a themed board book, a small toy, and a pair of mittens. For older children, we include waterproof mittens or gloves, a hat, a card game, and a puzzle or coloring book. Each Christmas care package costs around $40 to put together.

When we know a child will be aging out of foster care in the coming year, the Christmas package will also include a special Christmas quilt, typically much larger than our normal quilts, for them to carry with them into the future. 

Fundraising event for Rayola to support children in foster care in Northern Michigan.

How many care packages has Rayola delivered?

Since Rayola began in 2021, we’ve delivered 1,730 entry quilt and care packages. Each year, we’ve also delivered around 500 holiday packages. In 2025 alone, we’ve delivered a record number of packages: 330 entry quilt and care packages so far, and a planned 800 Christmas care packages. By the end of 2025, we estimate that we will have delivered 1,887 care packages total—that’s over five care packages a day.

Each care package represents a moment of joy and security for a child facing an uncertain time, reminding them that they are not forgotten. Each package is created with love, care, and the generous support of our community. Each themed bundle helps children feel remembered throughout the year. Whether it is a Valentine’s Day surprise, a Halloween treat, or a cozy Christmas quilt, Rayola makes sure that every season brings a reason to smile—and we couldn’t do any of it without your support. 

What is the cost of Rayola’s care packages?

Throughout the year we host several fundraising and community events, partner with many wonderful businesses through sponsorships, and gather donations of all kinds to fund our efforts to provide local children in foster care with these needed care packages. Between the cost of donated items and the cost of purchased items, we estimate our 2025 spending will total around $106,775. 

We are blown away by that number and the staggering amount of support we receive from our volunteers and community to achieve it year after year. Behind that number lives thousands and thousands of donated volunteer hours, innumerable yards of fabric and batting, and the bountiful generosity of our Northern Michigan neighborhood. With that number, we show our dedication to loving and supporting every child in our community.

Quilts for Rayola care packages for children in foster care in Northern Michigan.

How can you help?

Our work is only possible because of the time, talent, and generosity of our communities. Every quilt sewn, toy donated, or dollar given helps a child in foster care feel safe, loved, and seen. There are several ways to get involved:

Volunteer your time

Join us for sewing days at the Rayola building. Help plan and execute fundraising events. Write grant applications for Rayola. Come help clean the Rayola building and inventory our stock of supplies. Volunteer to deliver care packages to DHHS offices around Michigan. Cut fabric for upcoming projects. Quilt a quilt on your long arm or domestic sewing machine. Even if you’re not a sewer, there’s always a way to lend a hand.

Become a sponsor

Rayola greatly appreciates the generosity and involvement of local businesses and organizations. Through our four levels of sponsorship, there are many ways businesses can join our efforts. If you aren't ready to become a tiered sponsor, consider sponsoring a single event, a raffle prize, lunch for a sewing day, or hanging our upcoming event flyers in your front offices and windows. As we are based in West Branch, many of our sponsors come from Ogemaw County, but Rayola serves 16 other counties in Northern Michigan. If you own a business in one of our other service counties, consider becoming a sponsor. If you live in one of our other service counties, reach out to your local businesses and encourage them to become a sponsor.

Donate supplies

We always welcome handmade quilts, blankets, toys, books, and hygiene items. Shop from our Walmart “Registry for Good,” which lists the specific items we need most. Email rayolawb@gmail.com for specific needs. 

Give monetarily

Monetary donations help us purchase supplies in bulk and keep our operations running smoothly. Every contribution—no matter the size—makes an impact. Donate via PayPal, Venmo, or by mailing a check today.

We’ve seen firsthand how these care packages can change a child’s day, week, year, and life. Something as simple as a new toothbrush, a cozy quilt, or a stuffed animal can restore a sense of normalcy and warmth. Together, we can continue to reach more children, one package at a time.