Lately, I have noticed a number of “young people” seriously involved in charitable works. As I get older, that category denotes to those folks younger than 30. Somehow we seem to have created a whole generation of individuals who recognize a need in society’s shortcomings and figure out a great way to fill that crack in the floorboards before anyone can fall through again. I am both amazed and delighted when I meet such Generation Z-ers who incorporate charity efforts as a regular part of their own lives. The ones I’ve encountered here on the Outer Banks have hearts as big as the Harvest Moon.

One such person I met recently is Outer Banks’ native, 25 year-old, Fenton Rainey, a pediatric nurse working for Surf Pediatrics in Kill Devil Hills. Fenton has worked with Dare County Child Protective Services foster care department through Dr. Christian Lige and Surf Pediatrics.

North Carolina has a mandatory reporting law (N.C.G.S. 7B-301) that states that any person who suspects that a child or dependent has been abused, neglected, shall report that to the Department of Social Services. This law covers children under the age of 18, who are not married, emancipated, or in the armed services.

While Dare County does not have a lot of children in jeopardy, we do have some of all ages who need care from Social Services while the parents pull their lives together. There are some cases where the risk to children is so high and no safety planning or services can reasonably protect them. In these cases, the agency may file a petition with the Juvenile Court alleging abuse, neglect, or dependency, or ask the Court to protect the child by removal from the home.

Bringing a child into foster care is used only as a last resort to protect children from serious harm. Reasonable efforts to keep children safely at home are first attempted, along with a relative placement if needed. It is believed that children have the right to safety, basic care, and to remain with their families, whenever possible.

Having worked in pediatric nursing for three years, Fenton Rainey was astounded at the things she saw in her dealings with social services. There are courageous families trying to help children in need.

Ms. Rainey created Dare Cares, a charity which, according to its mission statement, “provides underprivileged and foster children with needed personal items”. Ms. Rainey has structured her charity under the umbrella of Dr. Lige’s Surf Pediatrics Charitable Foundation so that donations are deductible for contributors. She has a presence on Facebook and Instagram, as well. Currently, the direction of this scope creates back-pack diaper bags of supplies for the age group of newborn to 24 months, and are distributed along with the child going into foster care. It is Ms. Rainey’s plan to expand the involvement of Dare Cares and its Mission Statement as it grows.

The Dare Cares baby bags that Fenton Rainey currently distributes contain such items as an outfit, some pajamas, a swaddler, a stuffed animal, a pacifier, a bottle, a sippy cup, medical supplies, and toiletries. All items a new, rapidly assigned foster parent might need.

Fenton Rainey of Dare Cares would love your inquiries of help and donations. She can be contacted in the evenings and weekends at 252.256.2220. Her Instagram is @fentonelizabethrainey.

Fenton Rainey

As a further note, Child Services is in need of foster families to provide temporary homes for children who enter the Department of Social Services care. The children who enter foster care are of all ages, from infancy to age 18. Many of them are troubled and will require services such as mental health therapy, developmental services, and possibly other services as well.

Every foster child is unique and every foster family is unique. In order to have the best child/foster parent matches, Dare County strives to make its foster parent roster as diverse as possible. Families all over Dare County are licensed and even those in surrounding counties will be considered as well, families with children of their own and without, single-parent households and two-parent households, working parents and stay at home parents.

So, do you think you have enough love to care and strength to share with a child of Dare in need? Please, contact 252-475-5500 to learn more about foster parenting. Fenton Rainey has stepped up to do what she can with her charity, Dare Cares. At least join her! Sponsor a baby bag!

Author: Rebecca Orr

Rebecca is a recent Iowa transplant to the Outer Banks and spends her days enjoying the beach and seafood, and her nights contemplating the sea and the stars. It has been her long-held dream to be a writer.