As children across St. Louis dive into the joys of summer—longer days, special outtings, pool time, and a break from the school-year demands—many nonprofits are preparing for a different reality. Summer often brings increased needs while volunteers, donors, and community partners juggle changing schedules and commitments.

Thankfully, our Foster Together community continues to show up in remarkable ways, ensuring that local children in foster care are not forgotten during this season. In fact, summer can be a wonderful time to get involved. With a little more flexibility in many schedules, new volunteers often find it easier to complete training and begin serving. If you've ever considered joining our mission, we would love to welcome you.

Click here to learn more about our volunteer opportunities, and be sure to check out this month's Volunteer Spotlight below featuring one of our most-needed volunteer roles. 🚗

As always, thank you for being part of the Foster Together family. Whether you give time or funds, connect others to our mission, or simply take the time to stay informed through our newsletter, you are helping ensure that children and families in foster care receive the support they need. We are deeply grateful for your constant generosity, compassion, and partnership.

Laura Storm
Executive Director, Co-Founder

When Mike Turner first learned about Foster Together through the Leader newspaper, he had no idea how much the organization would impact him. What inspired him to get involved was learning about the reality many children face when entering foster care—often having just minutes to gather their belongings in a trash bag before moving to a new home filled with unfamiliar faces and uncertainty.

"Knowing that Foster Together can provide children with clothes, toys, and other essentials of their own helps them feel more secure," Mike shares. "That, along with my love for children, made me want to help."

As a Foster Together volunteer delivery driver, Mike has the privilege of bringing Welcome Kits directly to foster families with brand new placements. 

His favorite part of volunteering is seeing the appreciation on the faces of both children and foster parents when he arrives with much-needed supplies.One recent delivery stands out in particular. A young boy eagerly helped Mike carry toys to the porch and thanked him with a huge smile. "Knowing I had a small part in making someone's life a little better means a lot," Mike says.

Through his time with Foster Together, Mike has gained a deeper understanding of the foster care system and the tremendous need that exists in our community. He has also developed a profound respect for foster parents. "Every time I make a delivery and meet a foster parent, I tell them, 'God bless you for what you do,'" he says. "They are the real heroes in this world."

When he's not volunteering, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, Susan, cheering on his grandsons at sporting events, watching his daughters thrive as mothers, working out at the gym, fishing, hunting, attending car shows, and taking his Corvette for a drive.

We're grateful for volunteers like Mike, whose kindness and compassion help ensure children and families feel supported when they need it most.

If you are interested in joining Mike in delivering Welcome Kits to new foster placements for Foster Together, please click here for more information.  

Saturday, July 25, 8 - 11 a.m. | St. Thomas Holy Spirit ELCA
3980 S Lindbergh Blvd, Sappington, MO 63127

Foster/kinship families are invited to register for our Back To School Breakfast! Schedule a 10 minute school supply shopping appointment per family for children in foster/kinship care. The entire family can enjoy a complimentary breakfast and some family fun before or after your appointment. School supplies are limited to children in foster/kinship care only.

*Children receiving supplies MUST be in attendance at the event.

Registration is now open and runs through July 15. 

If you are a Case Manager who would like to request supplies on behalf of your assigned families, please register to pick up supplies at Foster Together on either Wednesday, July 29 from 9:30 - Noon or Friday, July 31 from 10 am - 2 pm, using the button below.

You can make a big impact for children in foster care by organizing a summer drive for Foster Together! Whether through your church, VBS, work, friends, family, or neighborhoods, we can help you with collection bins and messaging to your network so you can help keep our shelves stocked over the summer.

We can help supply a collection box and even create a digital flyer so you can promote your drive!

Please contact Tyler Mazdra at [email protected] for details. 

Did you get a chance to watch/listen to Executive Director, Laura Storm on The Real Monica Adams show recently? If not, you can still catch this fantastic interview where Laura had the opportunity to go in depth with the needs facing St. Louis children in foster care, and how Foster Together is rallying our community to stand in the gap. 

Foster Together is excited to host its 1st Annual Gala, SOARING TOGETHER on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the Missouri History Museum.

You can still sponsor this event to bring exposure to your company or organization while supporting St. Louis area children in foster care. With four different levels, there's something to fit every budget, so be sure to check it out by clicking the button below.