Did you know that foster children often move their belongings in garbage bags? That's why Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS), the largest private oncology/hematology practice in the Southeast, along with WSB-TV, the largest TV station in Atlanta, will be collecting new or gently used suitcases and backpacks for Georgia's foster children on Martin Luther King Jr. Day during its fourth annual Totes 2 Tots suitcase drive.

The event will be Monday, Jan. 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 11 locations across Georgia, including one at the GCS Fayetteville office, 1250 Ga. Highway 54 West, Suite 102.

Every Martin Luther King Jr. Day, GCS employees and their families volunteer their time off for the event, which seeks to brighten the lives of foster children with the simple gift of a nice tote bag or suitcase.

"Martin Luther King Day is intended to be a day for community outreach, not simply a day off," said Dr. Bruce Feinberg, President/CEO of GCS. "Through Totes 2 Tots, we are able to honor Dr. King by helping to bring respect and dignity to the foster community in Georgia."

GCS works in conjunction with the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) during Totes 2 Tots. Mary Dean Harvey, Director of DFCS, said this event is very beneficial and dearly needed.

"The Totes 2 Tots program is an invaluable asset for the many children in the Georgia Foster Care system. These children are grateful for the generosity displayed by Georgia Cancer Specialists."

In 2005, WSB-TV recognized the importance of the drive and agreed to support it as a part of its Family 2 Family Project. This will be the second year that GCS and WSB-TV have partnered together for Totes 2 Tots.

Last year, Totes 2 Tots gathered over 1,000 suitcases in one day. Since the start of the program, a total of 4,300 bags have been collected. The bags stay within the county in which they are collected, and are distributed to local DFCS offices.

For more information, visit www.gacancer.com or call 1-866-665-4968.

For more information on becoming a foster parent, please call 1-877-210-KIDS.

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