Holton Athletes Give Back by Volunteering at Comfort Cases

Students from the Holton Athletic Association (HAA) recently volunteered their time at Comfort Cases, an organization dedicated to bringing dignity and hope to youth entering foster care. Working together, students helped assemble care backpacks filled with essential and comforting items for children experiencing a time of transition.

As part of the Holton community, students are encouraged to engage in service experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom and athletic fields. Through hands-on volunteer opportunities like this one, students develop leadership, teamwork, and empathy while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Comfort Cases was founded to address a critical need: on any given day, more than 390,000 children in the United States are in foster care, and many enter the system with little more than the clothes they are wearing. The organization provides children with specially designed bags with items such as pajamas, blankets, and stuffed animals, offering comfort and a sense of belonging during an uncertain time.

Each year, HAA students participate in service opportunities that reflect Holton’s values, partnering with different organizations to give back to the community. This year’s visit marked the second time HAA has volunteered at Comfort Cases under Athletic Director Graham Westerberg. 

“It is so important to give back when you can,” Mr. Westerberg said. “Bringing our HAA students to Comfort Cases gives them the opportunity to see how small actions can make a big difference in the lives of others.”

"I appreciate how Mr. Westerberg and the Holton Athletic Association prioritize community outreach in addition to athletics,” said Livie T., ’26. “During our time volunteering at Comfort Cases, we worked as a team–just like we do in sports–to create personalized care backpacks for the children in foster care. It was incredibly rewarding to be part of something that makes a direct impact on these kids' lives, and I loved being there with my HAA peers!"

Since its founding in 2013, Comfort Cases has distributed more than 283,000 bags to children in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom. 

“It meant a lot to be able to come together as members of HAA to work together outside of sports practices and give back to our community,” added Liv H, ’26, “Knowing that we packed over 50 backpacks for children in the foster care system made the experience incredibly meaningful and showed me that we can really make an impact, especially when we work together as a team!"

Service opportunities like this are an important part of the Holton experience, reinforcing the school’s commitment to developing well-rounded students who lead with compassion and purpose. By volunteering at Comfort Cases, Holton athletes demonstrated that being part of a team means giving back and making a positive impact beyond the field.