Cobblestone Theater Helps Collect Donations for Iowa Foster Families, Kids

If you treat yourself to a movie at Cobblestone Theaters over the holiday weekend, you can also use your visit to help children in Iowa's foster care system.

Carmike Cinemas, the corporate parent of the theater, and Nobbies Party Superstores have joined to host a supply drive for Iowa foster families.

The drive is under way and runs through Dec. 12, said JoAnna Scott with Cobblestone Theater. Inside the theater is a Christmas tree with ornaments made by children in homeless shelters and local Girl Scouts. When people bring in donations they will be able to take home one of these handmade ornaments.

All donations benefit Iowa Kids Net and Dropz of Hope, organizations that work on helping place children in foster homes. Kids are often removed from their home with nothing but the clothes they are wearing, so the supply drive organizers hope to stockpile donations of diapers, wipes, hats, gloves, socks, shoes and underwear to help the kids who are relocated, Scott said.

Iowa Kids Net and Dropz of Hope serve thousands of foster children each year, "Our effort will not even make a dent in the need that is out there, sadly enough," Scott said. "But every child that has warm hands or brushed teeth because of our event is a blessing."

Donors can find the list of items needed at Cobblestone Theater at 86th Street and Hickman Road in Urbandale, and at the metro Nobbies Party Superstore, located at 9999 University Ave. in Clive.

Donations can be dropped off any time the theater is open, which is generally from 11 a.m. to the end of the 11 p.m. showing. Feel free to ask a theater employee for assistance in picking out an ornament when you drop off your donation, Scott said.

Cash donations are not accepted. But, if Urbandale residents want to do more, they can pick up information onsite from Iowa Kids Net on other ways to help, including information on how to become a foster parent.