Members of Girl Scout Troop 649 recently collected party supplies for local foster children.

The troop, based at East End Baptist Church, collected cake mixes, frosting, candles, candy, party supplies like plates and napkins, gifts, gift bags and dozens of other items to help make birthdays special for children in foster care.

“Every child, whether it’s a foster child or not, should be recognized on their birthday,” said Angela Turntine, who is a friend of Joy Rios, who started the charity Connect with a Wish.

Turntine said Rios has three adopted children and feels a special calling to give back to foster children.

“A lot of foster parents don’t have a lot, but they feel that they have love they can give that child,” Turntine said, explaining to the Girl Scout troop why they collected the items they did. “It would be kind of a sad thing if they didn’t get a birthday cake or anything.”

Kier Holland, a troop leader and mom, said she connected with Turntine because they go to the same church and thought collecting the items for foster kids would be a good project for the troop.

“I wanted them to realize that all the kids aren’t as fortunate as them,” Holland said. “Most of my girls get to have birthday parties, and foster kids don’t.”

She also said the troop wants to give back after cookie season.

“The community supported us by buying Girl Scout cookies, so we wanted to give back to the community,” she said.