62 MARCH 2026 | INTHEVUE.COM Henley began the effort as part of a church outreach group after recognizing an unmet need in the community - to support displaced children during some of the most difficult moments of their lives and to remind them they are loved. As that vision grew, Henley assumed a leadership role and transformed Bags of Love into the thriving charitable organization that continues making a difference, even years after she passed. Before that, six months before Henley’s passing, she requested that Alison Watson and her husband, Dave, take on the leadership role. When Ms. Henley asked Alison and her husband to take over the leadership of Bags of Love, they thought about it for a couple of weeks, prayed over it, pondered the logistics, and finally came to the conclusion that regardless of any difficulties, time commitments, or other struggle it might bring, it absolutely felt like it was meant to be for them to take on this task. “We could not argue with what the universe was telling us to do. And everything has fallen into place every time we have needed it to. Every time we have a need, it is fulfilled before we can even make a social media post,” said Alison. ”Every time I dread a task, like applying for 501(c)(3) status or filing taxes, it winds up being a breeze. This was absolutely meant to be for us.” The Watsons completed the process of transferring the banking account just two weeks before they received word that Henley had passed away. “Bags of Love was such an important mission for Ms. Henley, and I do not take her legacy in that regard lightly,” said Alison. “Anytime I am struggling to find the energy or motivation to complete a Bags of Love task, I just think about what Ms. Henley would want me to do and it is all the motivation I need. She was an amazing woman who made such a difference in our community, not just through Bags of Love, but in all her volunteer and other efforts.” Alison got to know Ms. Henley and the charitable works of Bags of Love as a foster parent in 2015. She and her husband fostered six children and adopted a sibling group of four children in 2017. All of their kiddos received Bags of Love and cherished their quilts. Alison later became a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster children and took Bags of Love to the little ones to whom she was assigned. To this day, Bags of Love still serves all displaced children in need, regardless of gender, race, age, national origin, disability, sexual identity, or religion, and will continue to serve every displaced child in need. They provide a bag of necessities and other items to children entering foster care in Marshall County, Kentucky, and some of the surrounding counties. Those bags are filled with items customized in age and needs such as: a handmade quilt, personal care items, toys, puzzles, books, and coloring books. School aged children receive school supplies, and infants receive diapers, wipes, bottles, pacifiers, etc. Typically, these children receive the items within 24-48 hours after the initial request. “We do so by partnering directly with the Child Protective Services in Lakes Region,” said Alison. “We also take requests for bags from families with relative placements, such as grandparents raising their grandchild, and those who have had a displacement due to a natural disaster, house fire, etc.” In addition, they are also in the beginning stages of expanding their services to homeless Veterans in the area, through partnership with the Marshall County Veteran Support Group. “I was humbled at Ms. Henley’s choice in handing Bags of Love over to our family and I will forever run this organization knowing that she is watching from heaven and seeking to always be a reason she has a smile on her face,” said Alison. “Her legacy and my love of children in need are very motivating forces.” Their biggest challenge has been the choice to expand or stay
