HAZLETON -- A refuge for foster kids is getting a new kitchen.
Brandon's Forever Home occupies a stately 1909 home on North Church Street in Hazleton. While many rooms in the building have been designed to meet the needs of foster kids and former foster kids, the kitchen was woefully lacking.
Plans to hold a Thanksgiving dinner became a challenge because the oven was too small for a turkey.
"Our stove that was in the old kitchen, we could only fit like little things in it," said Tammy Madara, the adoptive mother of five foster children.
Now thanks to a team of volunteers there will soon be a new kitchen, designed to allow cooking classes for teens who need to learn the skills that adult life requires.
"When they get put into a family, or into a group home, they don't learn that stuff, so it's good for them they need to know it," Madara added.
Volunteers from Leadership Wilkes-Barre formed "Team Brandon," and set to work raising money.
On Saturday, they began demolishing the old kitchen and say the new one should be up and cooking in two weeks.
"We are going to come in here and toast to the new kitchen and all the great things that are going to come," said Benjamin Bray, one of those volunteers.
Brandon's Forever Home offers foster kids and adoptive families emotional support, activities, and necessities such as clothing.
A bingo and basket benefit will be held on Sunday, February 28, at the Elks' Lodge in Hazleton starting at noon.