Liz Estilow, founder and director of My G.E.A.R. Outreach in Clinton, Iowa, joins the Grow Clinton Podcast to share how her local nonprofit is bringing comfort and hope to children entering foster and relative care for the first time. In this episode, Liz explains how My G.E.A.R. Outreach walks alongside kids ages 0–18 at one of the hardest moments of their lives by providing thoughtfully packed welcome boxes and first overnight bags so no child has to arrive in a new home with nothing but a trash bag of belongings.
Listeners will hear how the organization serves children and foster families across multiple counties in our region—supporting Iowa’s Clinton, Jackson, Scott, and Dubuque counties, as well as Whiteside, Carroll, and Lee counties in Illinois. Liz breaks down what goes into each Welcome Box, from toothbrushes and toothpaste to shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, a water bottle, a hair brush, a fun wash cloth, a comb, liquid bath soap, and even a night light—essentials that help a child feel seen, clean, and a bit more at home on day one.
She also talks about the 32-inch wheeled First Overnight Bags that include new pajamas, socks, underwear, a pillow and pillowcase, blanket, Bible, crayons, pens, pencils, journals, coloring books, age-appropriate toys and activities, and a stuffed animal, all designed to meet basic needs while offering comfort and dignity. Liz shares the real costs behind this work—about 50 dollars per Welcome Box and 150 dollars per overnight bag—and why community support is so critical to keeping these services available to every child who needs them.
Throughout the conversation, Liz unpacks the heart behind the My G.E.A.R. mission: to give the hope of Jesus, equip kids with basic necessities, promote acceptance, and help restore relationships in our community. You’ll come away with practical ways to get involved—whether through donations, drives, partnerships, or simply spreading the word—and a deeper understanding of how a simple bag can make an unforgettable difference for a child entering foster care.
You can support My G.E.A.R. Outreach through both financial donations and hands-on involvement.
Ways to donate
Give a one-time or recurring monetary gift to help cover the cost of Welcome Boxes (about 50 dollars each) and First Overnight Bags (about 150 dollars each).
Sponsor specific items for boxes and bags, such as toiletries, pajamas, socks, underwear, blankets, journals, or age-appropriate toys and activities.
Organize a supply drive through your business, church, school, or civic group to collect new hygiene and comfort items to pack into the kits.
Ways to volunteer
Help assemble Welcome Boxes and First Overnight Bags, ensuring each child receives essentials such as toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, pajamas, and a stuffed animal.
Serve as a community advocate by sharing My G.E.A.R. Outreach’s mission, inviting others to give or host drives, and connecting the nonprofit with local organizations in Clinton and surrounding counties.
If you’re part of a group, arrange a volunteer day focused on packing kits or sorting donated items to prepare them for quick delivery to children entering foster or relative care.
For the most up-to-date details on how to give or sign up to help, including current needs and contact information, visit the My G.E.A.R. Outreach website at https://mygearoutreach.org/.
Community building, economic development, and tourism promotion are the goals of Grow Clinton, a proud 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization in Clinton, Iowa.
Grow Clinton's mission is to ignite business growth, strengthen community ties, and advocate for the sustainable economic success of the Greater Clinton Region.
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