Teens in foster care get special friendship bracelets, gift bags to take to Taylor Swift concert

CINCINNATI (WKRC) — 120 Ohio teens in foster care have the chance to see Taylor Swift when she takes the stage in Cincinnati this weekend and they won’t be going empty-handed.

The tickets were donated through the "Beyond Your Imagination" program that aims to create experiences for foster families to enjoy.

Amanda Carter, a public relations specialist with Hamilton County, heard about the opportunity and wanted to make sure the teens felt included in the concert festivities. Carter, who is a huge Taylor Swift fan, enlisted the help of her friends to make friendship bracelets for the teens to wear and take to the concert.

She said it's tradition for Swift’s fans to make and exchange bracelets at her concerts. She posted about the idea on social media and it quickly took off.

The outpouring of support just started immediately. We raised almost $700. We in total have 672 bracelets and with the left-over fund that we were able to raise we were able to give the kids little gift bags.”

The gift bags include multiple bracelets, heart-shaped glasses, buttons and cards with positive messages. Carter said she was in foster care from age 10 to 16 when she was adopted by her foster family.

She hopes the little gifts help the teens feel included and make their night a little extra special.

“I hope just the the magic of it all is impacts them in a positive manner. And honestly, the bracelets are just a small touch. I wanted them to make sure or I wanted to make sure that they felt included and that they were interacting with other Swifties because that is part of the magic of the Taylor Swift show is being part of that huge movement and that huge crowd that are all there."

Any extra bracelet supplies are being donated to the Cincinnati Public Library. Carter said any leftover money will be donated to the Hamilton County Department of Jobs and Family Services.