“Everybody’s Favorite Twins” host Dine and Donate benefitting foster children

Sisters Cherry and Sherry Wilmore are partnering with Texas Roadhouse to host the 3rd Annual Laptops of Love Giveaway on Wednesday, April 20, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Texas Roadhouse, in Houma. Supporters can stop by Texas Roadhouse to dine in, or take out, and mention the Laptops of Love campaign. Ten percent of your entire purchase will be donated to the campaign where laptops are gifted to graduating foster youth.

Cherry and Sherry Wilmore are community activists, motivational speakers, and were raised in foster care. The two sisters known as “Everybody’s Favorite Twins” use their social media platform as activists to benefit children who are facing the same struggles and adversities they battled as children in foster care. Born and raised in Lake Charles, LA, the twin sisters were placed into foster care at the age of 6, eventually being placed into a children’s home in Terrebonne Parish at the age of 10. While preparing to enter their first year of college at Nicholls State University, the sisters received a laptop from Volunteers of America. This gift inspired them to launch the Laptops of Love Giveaway, benefiting foster children 20 years later.

“In June of 2002, we received a laptop that carried us from our first day at Nicholls State University until we graduated in May 2006,” said Sherry. “We understand how that laptop changed our lives, allowed us to do our assignments, keep up with our peers, and allowed us to graduate. In life you need access and resources to change your life, so we want to be the same blessing to the future generations, as others were a blessing to us.”

At the height of the pandemic, the sisters decided to start the Laptops for Love Campaign when they knew foster children would need the resource, but simply didn’t have access. While some organizations launched ‘Adopt a Child’ programs to help provide educational needs, no one was specifically advocating for foster children.

“Laptops for Love is a fundraiser we created that is near and dear to our hearts. We want to give that opportunity to the next generation. Foster children make up less than 50 percent of those who receive a high school diploma and 23 percent of those who have a post-secondary education, so this campaign helps us to grow that percentage,” Cherry explained.

The campaign partners with the Department of Children and Family Services in Thibodaux to provide essential tools to children in foster care across seven communities, including Terrebonne Parish, Lafourche Parish, St.Charles Parish, St.John Parish, Assumption Parish, and St.James Parish. The sisters said providing laptops to graduating foster children will not only educate the individual and help further their education, but also change the trajectory of the lives of their families, friends, and the community.

“One of our first recipients will be graduating with her associate’s degree in May from Nicholls State University and we’re so ecstatic! It makes us so happy that we were able to provide her with an essential tool that allowed her to successfully get through the culinary program and enter the world,” said Cherry.

The annual partnership with Texas Roadhouse Day is just one of the many fundraising events the Wilmore sisters hold each year to raise money for children in foster care. With the help of community organizations and businesses, the Wilmore sisters have donated 20 laptops to graduating seniors and plan to raise $20,000 for laptops in their third year.

“Our ultimate goal is to be a blessing to a population that we have personal experiences with. We understand the struggle that it takes to get a high school diploma when you’re moving around to different environments and can’t get the right footing. They have someone who sees them and understands their situation because we’ve walked in their shoes and understand what it’s like to not feel secure. Having the opportunity to provide these laptops gives children the gift of educating themselves while entering the next phase of life,” Cherry explained.

Follow the Wilmore sisters at https://www.facebook.com/Everybodyfavoritetwins.