What started as a visit to a foster care facility in the Tampa Bay area soon turned into a national movement to help get every child in foster care their very own bag.
Tammy Levent, president of Elite Travel Group and founder of It’s My Bag, was having the walls of a foster care facility painted with murals so they weren’t so plain. During a visit, she noticed garbage bags in the rooms and later learned that this is how the children store their belongings when there isn’t enough dresser drawer space. “I cannot tell you how my heart sank and that’s when I had to make a change just like I did for the murals on the walls that took almost 2 years to paint,” Levent said.
The charity It’s My Bag, or ItsMyBag.cool (the original website), was then breathed into existence. “Since its inception in 2014, when we began collecting just a few bags to support children in foster care facilities, we never imagined the tremendous support we would receive,” Levent said.
When deciding on the name, Levent asked the children what they would call it, and they came up with It’s My Bag. She then wanted to create the website with .com or .net, but everything seemed to be taken. Go Daddy had a new .cool available at the time, and she said, “how great and appropriate is that.”
“Officially forming as a charity in 2019, It’s My Bag has now grown beyond our expectations. With incredible help from people across the country and partnerships with suitcase manufacturers, we've collected over 17,000 suitcases across the United States. The outpouring of generosity has been overwhelming and continues to inspire us to do more for these children.”
As It’s My Bag grows, Levent would like to see the charity partner with airlines. She said Southwest Airlines would be her first choice since the company already has strong philanthropic initiatives. She’d also like to see a partnership with airports, as they sometimes auction off unclaimed suitcases that she’d rather see donated to the cause.
“I want them to donate these unclaimed suitcases to us in cities across the United States,” Levent said. “By doing so, we can have travel agents act as distributors, helping to deliver these suitcases directly to foster care facilities or women’s shelters. This would recycle these bags and make a profound difference in the lives of needy children and women."
There are many people and organizations throughout the travel industry who give back to communities around the world. For example, they’ll pack a suitcase full of essentials to donate to the destination they’re traveling to. While giving back to the destinations we visit is incredibly important to do, supporting our local communities is just as necessary.
“It’s important for travel advisors to give back, not just within the travel industry, but also in their local communities, because we have the reach and the ability to make a real impact,” Levent said. “We’re not asking for money; it’s about dedicating a bit of time and effort to help these kids. In return, it’s incredibly rewarding, and it gives advisors the opportunity to be seen as a positive force in their community. Most agents don't have a storefront, so this involvement provides exposure for their agency and builds a reputation for making a difference. It also brings much-needed awareness to a crisis happening right here in our country. Travel, suitcases and this charity — it’s a natural fit.”
This is something every travel advisor can do, and while the act of kindness might feel small, to a foster child, it could make a world of difference.
“Many of these children have had everything stripped away when removed from their homes,” Levent said. “Having their own suitcase gives them a sense of control over their belongings and helps restore a bit of their dignity.”
How Can Advisors Get Involved?
Advisors can donate new or gently used bags to one of the locations already collecting them, or they can start their own collection locally. The bags need to be in working order and have wheels. They can also choose to send a check and have someone from the charity purchase the luggage. To learn more, call Elite Travel at (727) 726-9090 or visit elitetravelgroup.net/charity-suitcase-and-bag-donations.
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of The Compass magazine.
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