Current Mrs. Ohio All World Beauty pageant winner, Stephanie Drayton, 36, of Beavercreek, was one such person with less than happy memories of her childhood holidays.
As a young child Drayton said she was placed more than 16 foster homes and often spent holidays alone. At age 5 was adopted and severely abused.
She says that because of her unhappy memories that she is making it her mission to help brighten the Easter memories of children who might be forgotten or go without. Through her Baskets of Hope project she hopes to donate 1,000 Easter baskets to children in the area who may otherwise not get one.
Though she has already made hundreds of baskets on her own and with donations from local churches and businesses she says she still needs help to reach her goal.
She is currently is looking for items to fill the baskets as well as baskets or anything that can be filled with Easter items and help assembling them.
Drayton said she already has a number of places and people slated for basket donations but is still accepting requests and can be contacted on her Baskets of Hope Facebook page or by phone at (864) 404-0755.
“I decided that when I grew up I wanted to make a difference. So this is why I’m doing Baskets of Hope. Baskets of Hope represents me as a person. Hope for tomorrow. Hope for love. Hope never to be forgotten again. Hope for a brighter tomorrow.”
Drayton lives with her husband and 5 children, who she hopes the project will inspire. “I’m teaching my kids what it is to give and to stop taking or asking. It’s not about what you get, it’s about how much you care to give back.”
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