“Are they going to like me? Are they going to think I’m cool?” Those were some of Sarah’s thoughts right before she met the four girls she was matched with through the Love Box program. She went on to say, “It’s intimidating as hell. I’m about to meet four kids, all girls under the age of seven.”
 
Sarah’s involvement in the lives of these four girls didn’t happen overnight. Sarah was asked by her company to find volunteer opportunities and coordinate events so her company could engage in the community. That’s when she found Angels and eventually met the founder of Angels, Susan. “[With Angels,] we did a back to school event a couple of years ago and 60 people came to volunteer. I coordinated another event for Dare to Dream and 120 people came.”
 
At these events, Sarah commented that “Susan makes sure that every volunteer is connected to what the greater cause is. It’s a personal connection. If you go to these [events] enough, you will get way more involved. There is nothing like this organization out there. It’s very organized. It’s easy to get involved.” Slowly, Angels became family to Sarah, “Everyone hugs you. Everyone says hi. Everyone is friendly.”
 
Sarah knew she had to get more involved and heard about the Love Box program that Angels does. “It took me awhile to understand the Love Box Program. Once someone explained it to me, I decided to get involved and do it.” Sarah describes it as “a mentorship program where your role is to be a positive consistent role model for a child…and provide intentional giving.”
 
Soon after, Sarah was matched with a family of four girls, two in foster care, and has been consistently present and active in the girls’ lives. “It started with me going to their house and doing different crafts and art projects. After about three months, I started taking them out. We’ve been to a drive-in movie, a jungle gym, and the Thinkery. I have taken them everywhere. They even had Christmas at my house. They had never experienced that before. They didn’t know who Santa was or what a stocking was.” Sarah’s commitment has enabled her to see change in these girls, “[In the] past year, they have grown in their communication. They explain how they feel instead of acting out.”
 
Despite her initial fear, intimidation, and uncertainty, Sarah has come to find “what matters is the consistency. Every relationship in your life takes time. It’s not immediate. Are you going to show up every month? Are there any traditions you can make with them? Are you going to create something with them that they can remember?”
 
As far as Sarah is concerned, she will continue to show up for these girls. “I started September 2018 [when the girls] entered the system. I’ve been involved ever since. [And I will continue until] they tell me not to do it anymore. Every birthday I’m going to invite myself…I’m going to be there.”
 
And that’s all we ask. For people to be there.