LAKEPORT, Calif. — The transition into foster care is often one of the most difficult moments in a child’s life. 

Many children enter care unexpectedly, sometimes in the middle of the night with nothing more than what they’re wearing. 

A new nonprofit, Foster Toys, is stepping in to bring comfort during these challenging times by providing new toys and essential items to children as they enter foster care.

While many wonderful charitable organizations focus on holiday toy drives, Foster Toys is committed to filling a different gap by providing comfort year-round to children entering foster care. 

Because a child can be placed into care at any time — often in urgent situations — Foster Toys ensures that toys and essential items are available whenever they are needed, not just during the holiday season.

The nonprofit was founded by Aiden Kelly, a high school senior whose journey began three years earlier. Since 2022, Kelly has volunteered alongside his father, wrapping donated holiday gifts for children in foster care. 

Over time, hearing the stories of the challenges these children faced — especially during their first moments of entering care — left a lasting impact and inspired Kelly’s passion to do more.

“A toy can’t change their circumstances, but it can offer a little comfort and distraction during a really stressful time,” said Kelly

Now established as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Foster Toys — founded in 2025 — aspires to expand its reach from serving a local community to eventually establishing a national footprint. The organization plans to maximize its impact by partnering with foster care and government agencies to provide new toys and essential items to children at the time of placement.

Despite running a growing nonprofit, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, interning with the Lake County Public Defender’s Office, and volunteering, Kelly remains laser-focused on his future and aspires to attend a university that will further his passion for law and sociology after high school.