When Rob and Reese Scheer of Darnestown, Maryland married seven years ago, they knew they wanted to be dads.
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A few years ago, the couple decided they were ready to adopt through the foster care system. Only prepared for one child, they were surprised to be offered a brother and sister three months into their application process. Unwilling to separate the two, the dads adopted both into their family. Three months after that, the were offered brothers, just two-years-old and six-months-old, who they adopted as well. In just under a year, the Scheers tripled the size of their family from two to six.
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It might not have been what the Scheer's expected, but unconditional love for their children brought their family together. "When the kids arrived, we knew that they came with baggage, from homes that just lacked love in general," explained Rob, who came from an abusive family and also went through the foster care system. "40 years ago, I came into foster care carrying a trash bag with all my belongings.” Rob couldn't believe that their kids' belongings were in trash bags when the couple picked up their children for the first time, a striking reminder of his own upbringing. "For a child to not feel loved or wanted, I knew that's what my kids were feeling."
Rob and Reese set up Comfort Cases, a foundation dedicated to “provide comfort and support for kids in foster care.” Instead of allowing kids to pack up all their things in a trash bag, Comfort Cases gives adopted children a duffel bag or suitcase to put their things in and adds a bar of soap, toothbrush, brand new pyjamas, blanket, and a book to their possessions.
The couple set up a GoFundMe to support their important cause. Ellen was so moved by their story that she gave the Scheers $10,000 for their foundation, as well as $40,000 in Samsonite products!
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Watch the moving clip below.
