Rainie’s is a volunteer, donation-based, non-profit organization providing aid to our foster care communities. With that as the foundation, our mission is to help clothe Foster and Kinship families while following our belief all children should experience love, respect, and kindness while living in a foster care home.
What is Rainies Foster Closet, Inc.?
Rainies Foster Closet, Inc. supplies personal care items, durable goods, clothing, and other children’s and young adult necessities at NO COST to eligible Foster and Kinship families.
Rainie’s Closet opened in September 2019, at 1208 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda, NY on the premises of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. We are a volunteer, donation-based, non-profit organization providing aid to our foster care communities, regardless of religious affiliation.
Founding of Rainie’s,
“Our Story”
Sisters Jessica Dybdahl (President) and Alicia Moeller (Vice President) founded Rainie’s Foster Closet in September 2019 following their personal foster care experience! This is their (and Rainie’s) story.
In June 2018, Alicia (having no children of her own) made the decision to pursue foster parenting with intent to adopt. February 2019, Alicia received a request from her agency for immediate placement of two sisters Ages 2 and 7. Like most foster parents placing children in emergency situations, Alicia had literally no time to gather clothing and supplies before the girls arrived ‘home’. While they managed with the help of Alicia’s family and friends, the experience identified a community need. Alicia and her sister Jessica have been on a mission since with the creation of Rainies Foster Closet, Inc. in September 2019!
Rainie’s Foster Closet, “Our Namesake”
Rainie is the grandmother of our cofounders, Jessica Dybdahl and Alicia Moeller – Lorraine ‘Rainie’ Campbell. Grandpa Leo Campbell lovingly referred to his wife of 60 years as Rainie and it stuck! “Very good, Rainie,” was the complement paid from husband to wife after every meal served, whether it was truly good or not! Rainie’s Foster Closet was named in tribute to both Grandma and Grandpa – the people they are and were, the values they exude, the examples they provide, the home they created welcoming ALL (family, friends and even some foes, strangers, young and old). Their sense of community volunteering time and support to those in need, no challenge ever to big or small for them to fix! Rainie’s mission to provide all Foster and Kinship children love, respect, and kindness was founded in the example and love of both ‘Rainie’ and Leo Campbell.
