West Plains, Mo. – An innovative resource for foster parents in south central Missouri is soaring to new heights with official IRS recognition as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the creation of the organization’s first board of directors.
The Chaos Closet was created by DeeDee Button and her husband, Ed, in 2019. The idea arose out of necessity when the couple realized, as foster parents themselves, how difficult it could be to procure necessary items, often on short notice, for children placed in their care. Since children are each unique, with their own individual needs, the Buttons wanted to do something to make life easier for not just themselves and their fellow foster parents, but most especially, for the children.
A fundraising drive enabled the purchase of a small storage shed that the Buttons placed on their property in West Plains, and The Chaos Closet was born. The free resource has offered foster families within the 37th Judicial Circuit access to clothing, diapers, infant formula, and related essential items for three years, and works in partnership with organizations such as The Diaper Resource Center of West Plains to make these items available.
The 37th Judicial Circuit includes Carter, Howell, Oregon and Shannon counties. All foster families residing in this area are eligible for support.
As of February, contributions to support The Chaos Closet are now tax-deductible, thanks to the IRS’s recognition of the organization as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The State of Missouri has also bestowed nonprofit status on the resource.
On Friday, Feb. 25, The Chaos Closet announced the creation of its inaugural board of directors, which will allow organizational efforts to be distributed among five members who all bring unique experience in advocacy and community relations to the table. Joining Button are Tara Billings, Erin Swift, Emilie Hoglen and Abby Hess.
“I am so excited about the inaugural board of directors for The Chaos Closet,” said Button. “Each of these women brings a wealth of knowledge spanning advocacy, foster care, child welfare, community action and marketing. Together, we are looking forward to continuing to make a difference in the lives of children in foster care and the foster parents who open their homes.”
Billings was born and raised in West Plains, and is a licensed clinical social worker. She is the director of FCC Behavioral Health’s RISE program, which is a substance use treatment center for adolescents ages 12-17. She is passionate about helping youth of all ages, and looks forward to assisting the Chaos Closet in serving children and families in this community.
Alton High School alumna Erin Swift attended Missouri State University in Springfield. She is married to Dr. Nate Swift, with whom she has two children, Willa and Jude. She is active in improving accessibility within both school and community for those with different or restricted abilities. Swift says she is excited to join this upstanding group.
West Plains native Emilie Hoglen resides with her husband and two young children. She is currently earning her master’s in school counseling at Lindenwood University. Hoglen hopes to bring her passion of working with children in need to Chaos Closet by advocating this much needed resource to the community.
Hess moved to West Plains with her spouse and two children in 2012. Since then, the former West Plains Daily Quill news editor has served as president of the Yellow House Community Arts Center Board of Directors and is co-founder and president of the Ozarks Regional Cats board. She has also served on the former West Plains Board of City Pride and sits on the Trillium Trust board, and looks forward to bringing her skills and networking capabilities to the organization for the benefit of the area’s youth.
To learn more about The Chaos Closet and how to support foster families in need, email thechaosclosetwp@gmail.com or follow @thechaoscloset on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thechaoscloset).
