Local teen donates $3,000 in toys to EPIC in Cape Girardeau

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – A Jackson High School student is making a big impact on local foster families through a personal high school project.

VanQuez Hill, a student participating in the Jackson High school’s passion project worked up the funds to donate around $3,000 worth of toys, games, books and puzzles to EPIC, a nonprofit in Cape Girardeau that supports foster families.

“It’s something close to me,” Hill said. “I just wanted to bring families together and make sure they get something that I didn’t really have.”

Hills personnel experience inspired him to brighten the lives of children currently entering foster care, especially as they start their new relationships with their foster families.

“This is really important to me,” Hill said. “I want them to have a strong connection with their parents. Seeing what I have now, I want theirs to be even stronger.”

The donation, which came in the form of a truck load of fun and interactive kids toys, left EPIC’s staff speechless.

“I am at a loss for words right now with everything that is sitting here, and we still have more packages to unwrap,” said Jessica Belanger, community service coordinator at EPIC. “There are all kinds of things families can do together to increase their bond. We’re so excited and overwhelmed right now.”

To raise the money, Hill and his family baked and sold more than 500 of his father’s famous “monster cookies.”

Community members also donated toys and money after learning about the project.

“All I can say is that my family supported me so much, and I can’t thank them enough for that,” Hill said.

Belanger said the donation came at a perfect time for the organization.

“This is so cool because we are a small nonprofit, we’re grant funded and donation funded,” she said. “Now, we no longer have to worry about where we’re going to get new toys.”

For Hill, it was about more than giving, it was about providing opportunities for other children to experience the connection he has now with his family.

“It’s having something to do with family that matters a lot,” he said. “It gives you something to bond over.”

With a passionate and heartfelt message for everyone who has helped along this journey.

“Thank you, everyone, for supporting me throughout this project. I can’t thank you all enough. I know how much this means to all these kids.”