WESTWOOD—On a chilly but promising recent weekend at Stop & Shop in Emerson, Erik Herzing and a small army of supporters posted near the entrance, handing out slips of paper listing items for foster children. By the end of the day, carts overflowed with donations.
At just 17, the Life Scout with Troop 350 is leading a transformative project—“Fostering Hope Care Packages”—to bring comfort and dignity to 300 foster kids in Bergen County while supporting Bergen CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates, based, in Hackensack).
The idea for the project came to Erik during his search for meaningful ways to help children. “Many kids in the foster care system face challenges that others might not have,” he told Pascack Press at the start of the New Year. “I had read about another scout’s project that focused on helping kids, and it inspired me to think about how I could adapt that idea to meet the specific needs of our community.”
Erik’s care packages are meticulously tailored for children of various age groups, reflecting months of research and collaboration with Bergen CASA and the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P).
“Younger kids receive comforting items like stuffed animals and coloring books,” Erik explained. “For teenagers, we include practical things like hygiene products, journals, and gift cards. These items are designed to be age-appropriate and meaningful, so every child feels cared for and supported.”
Each package is topped off with a handwritten note of encouragement from Erik and his fellow scouts. “We want these kids to know they’re not alone,” Erik said. “A small message of hope can go a long way.”
Erik’s project has sparked an outpouring of community generosity. Over a single weekend, shoppers at Stop & Shop filled carts with donated items after receiving flyers listing what was needed. “The response was overwhelming,” Erik shared. “It showed just how much people care about supporting foster children.”
One particularly moving contribution came from Parkside Community Church in Westwood, whose food pantry, led by Lisa Bontemps, donated 300 packets of eco-friendly laundry detergent, enough for 18,000 loads of wash. “That was incredible,” Erik said. “I wasn’t expecting such a large donation. It’s hard to put into words how much this means for my Eagle Scout project. Thank you all.”
Meanwhile, an Amazon Wish List created for the project has kept UPS drivers busy with daily deliveries. Erik is also working with the Westwood Regional School District in his efforts. “This isn’t just about collecting items,” he said. “It’s about engaging the community and helping kids understand the importance of supporting others who are less fortunate.”
Scaling up his project has presented challenges, but Erik has embraced the opportunity to grow as a leader.
“The community’s incredible support has been amazing, but it’s also made this a much bigger undertaking than I anticipated. Because this is part of my Eagle Scout project, I have to be extremely thorough with every detail. For example, I need to create and maintain a detailed spreadsheet to track everything I receive, including the value of each item, which is a time-consuming but necessary task.”
He said, “Another challenge is balancing all the moving parts, organizing collection efforts, coordinating with community partners, and ensuring that the care packages are personalized and meaningful for each age group. It’s a lot of work, but I’m learning how to manage my time and delegate tasks where possible. I also realize how important it is to stay organized and communicate effectively to keep everything on track. While it’s been challenging, it’s also been incredibly rewarding to see the project come together.”
Engaging local businesses has been another hurdle. “Navigating the red tape with companies like CVS and Wendy’s has been tough,” Erik admitted. He invites anyone with connections to local businesses to help open doors for donations or partnerships.
For Erik, the project is about more than assembling care packages. “Raising awareness about foster care is crucial,” he said. “Many people don’t realize the struggles these kids face—feelings of abandonment, instability, and uncertainty. Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.”
Lucy Rosen, executive director of Bergen CASA, praised Erik’s dedication. “I am so glad that you connected with Erik — he has been quietly working on this project for many months. He and I met with DCP&P supervisors to discuss their thoughts about his proposal while it was in the planning stages.”
She said, “I was impressed that he reached out to me and wanted to hear about Bergen CASA and learn a lot before coming up with his project. It’s incredibly gratifying to see a young person in our community so committed to giving back and uplifting others during difficult times.”
The Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) is a part of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. It serves as the state’s child welfare and protection agency, responsible for ensuring the safety, well-being, and permanency of children in foster care or those at risk of abuse and neglect.
As Erik approaches his senior year of high school, he’s a driving force on his lacrosse team, focused on completing his Eagle Scout journey, and preparing for college. “Becoming an Eagle Scout is a big milestone,” he said. “I’m proud of the work we’re doing, and I hope it inspires others to make a difference.”
For now, Erik’s attention is on the final phases of “Fostering Hope Care Packages.” His fellow Scouts and their families will play a vital role in sorting and delivering the packages to Bergen CASA. “We’ll need several cars and parent volunteers for the deliveries,” Erik noted. “Their support is essential to making this project a success.”
The community can support Erik’s project by donating through an Amazon Wish List or dropping off items at 109 Prospect Ave., Westwood. The deadline for donations is Jan. 31, though extensions may be possible.
Erik expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family, troop leaders, and the community. “This project wouldn’t have been possible without my mom, who’s been an incredible support as my project coach and Troop Committee chair,” he said.
He added, “I’m also thankful for my scoutmaster, Bernadette Gehringer, and Bergen CASA for their guidance. I’m grateful to everyone who’s helped make this vision a reality.”
For more information or to contribute, visit Erik’s Amazon Wish List (“Erik Herzing’s Eagle Scout Project — Fostering Hope Care Packages”) or visit BergenCASA.org.