WINDER, Ga. – A blanket, a toothbrush, a bag to hold your belongings – these are all simple things many people might take for granted.

One organization in Winder is making sure children of all ages have those basic needs met, and a little extra, particularly children experiencing trauma or a crisis.

“We all need that comfort. No matter how old we are. When trauma or crisis knocks on our door, a stuffed animal, a blanket can go a long way, no matter the age,” Misty Manus said.

Manus is the executive director of Adventure Bags. The nonprofit provides backpacks filled with comfort items, hygiene products, books, and more for children in need. Manus, a former foster parent, started with the organization as a volunteer.

“That’s actually how I got involved with Adventure Bags was through making donations of stuffed animals. And so I fell in love with their mission,” Manus said.

That mission started back in 2011. Tracey McMahon, the chairman of the board for the organization, was called to escort three children back to Georgia from Los Angeles for her job at the Department of Family and Children Services.

“All their stuff that they had – whatever they had with them when they went to Los Angeles was all in individual black trash bags,” she said.

McMahon helped get each child a backpack and filled it with all the essentials to go back home. She saw the difference those bags made for the kids.

“I saw such a proud happy moment. These kids had been through so much instability and whatever else was going on in their little lives, and she was proud to walk through the airport,” McMahon said.

She told her mom, Debbie Gori, about it, and she started Adventure Bags. It was her passion that she made sure was carried on.

“Before she passed away she said ‘You and Misty have got to keep this going,’” McMahon said.

And they have. Together with a small team of volunteers and help from big partners including PetSmart and Bombas, they have served more than 51,000 children across every county in the state.

“So we partner with agencies across the state of Georgia –  agencies such as DFACS, first responders, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, agencies that provide a direct service to children in crisis,” Manus said.

This year they expanded even more, sending backpacks to Georgia children impacted by Hurricane Helene. When tragedy struck at home, they had bags for the students at Apalachee High School.

“To be able to see their reaction – those kids pulling out those blankets and wrapping them around them or pulling out those stuffed animals and just hugging them,” Manus said.

Each bag is stuffed with care and typically inspected by Linda Morrison, the head volunteer.

“I’m kind of picky about the bags and the way that they get packed. So we always want to make sure that the books go in first so the child has a flat surface against their back, and the stuffed animal goes in last because that’s the first thing we want them to see,” Morrison said.

It’s a hug from a team who is thinking of every child and making sure they have what they need during some of the most difficult times, and zipped up with a little extra love.

“It just warms your heart to see that you are making a difference,” Manus said.

And their efforts have grown so much. Adventure Bags has outgrown its current space. The nonprofit is now hoping to move into what they call its forever home, with enough room to store all of the goods to fill even more bags in the future. If you want to learn more about their organization or how you can get involved, you can visit their website here.