FIRESTONE, Colo. -- When children are placed in the care of social services, it often happens quickly, sometimes in the middle of the night.

The idea is to get the kids out of harm's way as quickly as soon as possible, but it can leave little time for the children to gather personal belongings. A couple in Firestone is trying to make the transition more comfortable.

"We prepare bags for children who are taken into custody by social services," said volunteer Ruth Akins.

Akins and her husband Joe, along with many friends, gather once a month to put together Bags of Love. The Akins devote their whole garage for the assembly of the bags.

"They are sterling people, just the salt of the earth," said Sister Mary Regis Leahy.

"Well, we like helping other people. That is the main reason we do this," said Joe Akins.

"We just realized the need. No one else was doing this," added Ruth.

The Akins' effort is a local chapter of the national nonprofit effort called its my very own" which offers similar bags for children.

"This is something that helps in the transition. It relieves some of the hurt, and some of the sadness of them having to leave," said Ruth.

The age-appropriate bags or backpacks are filled with personal items: shampoo; toothpaste; a blanket. And the bags have fun items too.

"The older kids, they get a puzzle book, crayons, markers and a journal," said Ruth.

And every Bag of Love comes with a note of encouragement for the child. Each backpack or duffle bag is topped with stuffed animal. All of them are then given to social services in Weld and Adams counties to give to children removed from their homes.

"At least they have something to hang onto. Something they can call their own," said Sister Leahy.

"Children are kind of defenseless, and they need all the support they can get," added Joe.

The Akins' give up their time, their garage, and sometimes their own money to provide the support. Since 2004 Bags of Love has turned out more than 600 bags.