You are a child, sitting quietly in your home, when suddenly strangers arrive at your door.  They tell you there's no time to waste - you have to leave now. You don't get to pack your favorite toy; you don't get to say goodbye to your friends. You don't even know where you're going. This is what happens to many children when they are suddenly removed from their homes by Child Protective Services. 

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In that moment, everything they know is gone, and they're left with nothing - no comfort, no familiarity, no answers. That's where we at Nana's Tote Bags step in. Our nonprofit organization provides children like these with a small but powerful symbol of care: a tote bag filled with essential items and personal touches, reminding them that someone out there cares. 

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Nana’s Tote Bags was created in memory of my sister, Pat Becker.  Pat was the oldest of six children, with me being the youngest. Despite the twelve years between us, we shared a special bond that went beyond our age gap. Pat’s heart was as big as her faith, and she lived her life with unwavering kindness, generosity, and an innate sense of caring for others.  

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Pat was a woman whose faith was deeply important to her. She volunteered her time creating beautiful quilts for people in hospice care, cancer patients, and children in local hospitals. She was always thinking of others, and her passion for helping those in need was evident in everything she did.

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Pat had a way of making everyone feel welcome, and her laughter was contagious. It was that warmth and positivity that made her so special. When she was diagnosed with lung cancer, I was devastated. Despite the pain she was enduring, Pat never once complained. Her only concern was for others - she repeatedly said she didn’t want any child to go through the pain she was facing. I had always seen her as strong and invincible, but within a year, it became clear that cancer was stronger than her.

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A few months after her death, I was talking with a friend who works in Child Protective Services. She shared how heartbreaking her job was, especially the experience of removing children from homes. In that moment, I found a way to keep Pat’s legacy alive….  The name was chosen by Pat’s grandchildren, and that’s when Nana’s Tote Bags was created.

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Nana’s Tote bags provide children in need with small bags filled with tangible reminders that someone cares about their well-being. It’s a tribute to Pat's selflessness and love for others, and it’s a way for her legacy to live on through every tote bag we give.