Exit
Debbie, retired and living in Barrow
County, has taken the reins, along
with Tracey’s husband, Eric.
“I had a child in foster care tell
me what the bag was to her,” says
Gori, “It was hers, and she carried it everywhere. She said, ‘It’s
mine. Nobody can take this from
me.’ She carried all of her things
in there,” recalls Gori, before explaining how the children are
often in awe about having something to really call their own.
‘DO IT FOR THE KIDS’
Adventure Bags is currently waiting to hear back on its status for
501C3 certification, to become an
official non-governmental organization. The non-profit operates out of
Gori’s home, with rooms reserved
for fundraising paraphernalia, book
bags, and a stockpiled inventory of
items for various age groups of infants, kids, tweens and teens.
Gori worries that operating
from her home reflects badly on
the organization, and has even
looked into purchasing a house to
set up offices for Adventure Bags,
but funds are low. Nevertheless,
the organization has come a long
way in a single year.
Various other organizations such
as Safe House—a shelter for victims
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of domestic abuse—and Children
After the Fire—which aids children
who have recently lost everything in
a blaze—have approached Gori and
received Adventure Bags of their
own. In fact, as October is National Domestic Violence Awareness
month, all the bags were sent to
the various branches of Safe House
around Georgia.
Gori has also developed a close
relationship with the Georgia Divi-
On my side: How hard is
it to remember a bag? Well you
have to step outside and look at
what they’re doing. The initial
thing is safety for that child.
Get ’em out and get ’em safe.”
sion of Family and Child Services,
who keep Adventure Bags at their
various offices and alert her when
they need more. But sometimes, it’s
not the first thing on a social worker’s mind when trying to remove a
child from a dangerous situation.
“On my side: How hard is it to
remember a bag?” chides Gori.
“Well you have to step outside
and look at what they’re doing.
The initial thing is safety for that
child. Get ’em out and get ’em