A Castaic area Boy Scout is seeking assistance on his Eagle Scout project to help teens in the foster care system.

Julian Sotelo, from Boy Scout Troop 583 in Castaic, is planning his Eagle project to gather funds and supplies to provide 100 duffel bags containing personal items such as clothes, blankets and toiletries to help teenage boys and girls.

“My project was inspired by my little sister who came to us from foster care,” said Sotelo on his GoFundMe. “When she arrived, she only had a few possessions in a plastic grocery bag. It left a heartfelt impression on me and this is why I have chosen to help kids in foster care as my Eagle Service Project.”

An Eagle Scout Project is a project that benefits the community while requiring leadership, planning, fundraising and coordination of volunteers, according to officials.

The goal of my Eagle project is to gather funds and provide 100 duffel bags containing personal items such as clothes, blankets and toiletries to help teenage boys and girls by showing them that we care as they transition through the Foster Care System, said Sotelo.

“Many teens are suddenly taken from their homes and placed in foster care. There is no time to pack their belongings and many of their items are carried around in a plastic trash bag,” continued Sotelo. “I am partnering with Hope in a Suitcase which is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit group benefiting foster children.”

Ways to contribute:

1. Donate through Sotelo’s GoFundMe. (GoFundMe takes a small percentage of these donations.)

2. You can visit the Hope in a Suitcase website www.hopeinasuitcase.org.

Click on donate and specify the contribution for the Julian Sotelo Eagle Project Fund in the “in Honor of” section of the donation application.(For larger or corporate donors wanting a tax deductible receipt). If you chose this option please also send me a message by clicking on the green envelope next to my name on this page.

Watch the video below to see why Sotelo wants to help.