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By Charlotte Hopkins

When Molly DiBattisto received a call almost two years ago from the 3 Rivers Adoption Council, she wasn't prepared to take in the three siblings who needed a home.

Pittsburgh firefighter William McCafferty and his wife, Molly DiBattisto, are the founders of the Foster Success Program. They want to be the difference between NO and YES.

She and her husband, Pittsburgh firefighter William McCafferty, took to social media and made a plea for assistance for the children. An hour later, McCafferty was picking up donations of clothes, toys, and furniture. It was because of the help of others that she was able to take in the three children, who are still with her today.

The events of that day inspired her to start the Foster Success Program. Through the program, she is collecting donations of clothes, books, movies, toys, furniture, and fun items for the children and teens, such as tickets to Kennywood, the zoo, and sporting events. They recently received four tickets for teens in foster care to attend a Washington Wildthings game. Also for teens, she is accepting donations of purses, jewelry, and accessories, seeking anything that children and teens would like. In her heart she believes that “kids deserve more than the bare necessities.”

She is also seeking donations of suitcases and duffel bags. DiBattisto said, “When children are moved to new foster homes, we don't want them to have to carry their clothes in garbage bags. Let's give them some dignity.” These items will be passed out to foster families in the Mon Valley and Pittsburgh area.

In most cases, when a foster parent receives a call about a child/children who need a home they have only a few hours to get everything they need. Now with the Foster Success Program they have a place to turn. To receive assistance, which is always free, a family just has to contact DiBattisto and show certification that they are a foster family. All of the items they take from the program can be kept or traded back.

To make a donation to the Foster Success Program, contact DiBattisto through email at MollyDiBattisto@gmail.com or on her Facebook page: Pittsburgh Area Foster Kids and Families Donations Page. All donations are tax-deductible.
DiBattisto is currently planning a pasta fundraiser for those who would like to make donations for that as well.

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