A local church is working to make the transition of getting foster children a little easier on foster parents, and they are asking for the community to step up and help as well.

Lesa Syler, Covington County Department of Human Resources Director, said that she was initially approached by Rex Jones about establishing a closet.

“He contacted me and said that they were interested in partnering with us,” she said. “He said they had a clothing closet at the church and we had been looking for a place.”

Amy Jones of Central Church of Christ, said that Syler and Charles Willis, president of the Foster Parents Association, came and presented the partnership to the church.

There are currently 46 children in foster care in Covington County.

They have affectionately called the program Angel’s Attic.

“This is not like a thrift store,” Jones said. “This is to help foster families, especially when they have little or no notice they are getting children.”

Jones said Willis and Syler thought it would be a great idea for them to stock the closet.

“This way, the can get perhaps a week’s worth of clothing appropriate for their child,” she said. “We would love to have the room to do cribs and strollers as well.”

Jones said this is a community event.

“We invite anyone who has new or nearly-new clothes and shoes to donate them,” she said. “With underwear and pajamas, it must be new.”

Jones said that Central Church of Christ doesn’t have the space for cribs and strollers and larger items, but she hopes that other churches can help in that area.

“It has been a great resource for our department,” Syler said. “We are very thankful for the church’s willingness to partner with us. With the increase in foster children here, it has created needs, but we are very thankful our community has stepped up and helped us.”

They are accepting sizes from newborn to 18, she said.

“We will worry about coats a little later,” she said. “Our former minister Russell Carnley built shelves in a room for us.”

Jones said she wants the community to know this is not just a Central Church of Christ project.

“It’s an anybody that can and will help project,” she said. “We want to invite anybody who would love to participate to do so. Jesus loved and valued children above anyone and we should, too.”

An additional need is racks for clothing to hang.

Jones said those who wish to make donations may drop by their clothes at the Central Church of Christ office Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until noon or at Jones and Jones Law Firm Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.