In 2019, Crystal Lake resident and foster mother Alicia Wehby launched the “Stuff the Duffel” campaign in response to the tragic death of 5-year-old A.J. Freund. She and her family, grieving alongside the community, sought a way to heal through helping others. What began as a simple goal of assembling 20 duffel bags for children entering foster care quickly became something much bigger.

The campaign struck a deep chord with the community. As it turned out, Crystal Lake—and the wider McHenry County area—was full of people who also wanted to turn their heartbreak into hope. Hundreds of local businesses joined in, collecting supplies and serving as donation centers. Thousands of volunteers came forward to sort donations and prepare the bags.

What started as a modest effort transformed into a massive movement. By the end, the campaign filled an 18,000-square-foot donated warehouse with over 4,000 fully stocked duffel bags. It took three semi-trucks to haul the bags out—each one a symbol of compassion, resilience, and community spirit.

The “Stuff the Duffel” event sparked a movement that lives on through Second Bridge, a program born out of that moment of community healing. Today, Second Bridge continues to support children transitioning into foster care, now operating as part of Kids In Need of McHenry County (KIN).

Through this partnership, Second Bridge runs “The Bridge”, a free store located in Crystal Lake. This resource provides foster families and other referred caregivers with essential items such as clothing, shoes, diapers, and personal care products—ensuring that every child has access to comfort and dignity during times of uncertainty.

Since that original Stuff the Duffel event, this incredible community has continued to make a lasting difference—impacting thousands of children both in and out of foster care. Today, KIN reaches approximately 4,000 children every year through a wide range of vital programs.

In addition to operating The Bridge, KIN fulfills requests from other child-serving agencies, works directly with school social workers to support students in need, and hosts playdates and events to connect foster and adoptive families. Through their Visitation Home in downtown Crystal Lake, KIN also provides a safe, home-like space for supervised family visits and parent coaching, further supporting healthy family development.

While Stuff the Duffel 2025 may look different than that first unforgettable event, its heart and impact remain the same. During Foster Care Appreciation Month this May, KIN will be collecting essential items for children in care.

To learn how you can be a part of this powerful movement, please visit kinmc.org.

**Donations of new or gently used children’s items are always welcome. Items can be dropped off at the donation center at 4410 IL-176 #12, Crystal Lake, with staff available to assist Tuesday through Thursday mornings or by appointment. A 24/7 dropbox is also available at the same location.