Today we’d like to introduce you to Celeste Edmunds
Hi Celeste, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My childhood was an ongoing cycle of police calls, fighting, and physical, sexual, and mental abuse. At age 7, I was taken by the state and placed into a child welfare system, where moving every few months to a new environment became normal. So did living out of a garbage bag. By age sixteen, I had lived in more than 30 cities.
My childhood was a difficult and often unbearable experience where evil manipulation almost broke my spirit. But there were also caring people along the way who stepped in to do what they could to protect and nurture me, and as an adult, I look back at those moments and realize that they saved my life.
My goal is to help as many children in the child welfare system have the opportunities for success that I was not provided.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Garbage Bag Girl is my story of being raised by addicted parents and, at a young age, learning to survive and protect my siblings from rapists and drug dealers. Eventually, the state separated our family, and I was adopted alone into a dysfunctional, fractured home where a sadistic and manipulating mother treated me as an unwanted outsider. Contemplating taking my abuser’s life, I eventually ran away, finding shelter wherever I could, until a compassionate woman stepped in to give me home and love.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Christmas Box International ?
I deeply understand the challenges faced by the children we serve. This understanding comes from my own experience.
Growing up, my biological parents struggled with addiction, leading to a turbulent environment filled with police calls, fights, and various forms of abuse. At seven, I was removed from my home and placed into the child welfare system. Moving became the norm from then on, and by the time I turned sixteen, I had lived in over 30 different cities.
While my childhood was undoubtedly difficult, I also recognize it as a crucial period of growth. Along the way, I encountered caring individuals who did their best to protect and nurture me. During this time, I became Richard Paul Evans’ assistant when he wrote the New York Times Best-selling book, The Christmas Box, and later founded The Christmas Box International. Over the years, I played an integral role in establishing and refining the original shelters, dedicating a decade to the cause. Subsequently, I pursued a career in Corporate America, gaining valuable knowledge in marketing, public relations, community giving, and team management. My diverse experience in nonprofit and corporate sectors uniquely qualifies me to lead The Christmas Box International.
My passion lies in making a difference in the lives of youth and improving the child welfare system to spare others from the experiences I endured. The Christmas Box International goes beyond being a physical place; it represents a concept where communities, governments, and nonprofits unite to provide the essential items children need and deserve. Understanding the significance of safety, dignity, and hope, I strive to offer these beautiful children everything I yearned for during my childhood and instill the belief in a better future.
As we celebrate 28 years of defending and supporting more than 155,000 children, the impact of The Christmas Box International is undeniable. This number alone is enough to fill Madison Square Garden more than six and a half times. Together, with the collective efforts of our community, government, and nonprofit partners, we can continue transforming vulnerable children’s lives and creating a brighter tomorrow.
What makes you happy?
Empowering my team, speaking to anyone who works with children, especially children who are at-risk or underserved, and helping people understand what the half a million children in floater care may be going through and help ensure that they are not forgotten makes me happy because my goal is to leave the world better than I found it.
Pricing:
- $14.95
Contact Info:
- Website: https://celesteedmunds.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celesteedmundsauthor?igsh=ZGVmYWFuY2VxYzRk&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garbagebaggirl?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GarbageBagGirl
