Lara’s Love fills gap for children in need

RUSSELLVILLE — When Lara Gunderman was just 6 years old, her family began taking in foster children. Over the years, they opened their home to 16 children in Franklin County, and Gunderman remembers the uncertainty each time a child arrived.

“There were several nights where we would get placements, and we couldn’t be sure we had the right clothing,” Gunderman said. “Sometimes, we had to call family members or church friends to ask around for the sizes we needed.”

Now 18, Gunderman works to ease that burden for others. The recent Phil Campbell High School graduate and Miss Northwest 2025 titleholder launched Lara’s Love, a care closet offering clothing and essentials for children in foster care and others in need.

Gunderman opened the closet in early March at North Highlands Church of Christ. She stocks it with donations and serves families across Franklin County.

Families can use the contact information on flyers at the Franklin County Department of Human Resources (DHR), or message Gunderman directly through Facebook, Instagram, email or phone.

She asks for the child’s age, size and need, gathers what’s available, and meets families in person to deliver the items.

Although she originally created Lara’s Love for foster placements, the closet now serves a wider range of families.

“With school starting back, we’ve had a lot of families on fixed incomes and single parents reach out,” Gunderman said. “I’ve been able to help several families with back-to-school clothing and supplies.”

One recent moment stood out to her — helping a young girl in foster care prepare for kindergarten.

“She was so excited to get her back-to-school clothes. She was just really sweet and playful,” Gunderman said. “It made a difference to me, and I feel that this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Gunderman also organized a summer giveaway that provided swimsuits, towels and toys for every child in foster care in Franklin County. She partnered with DHR caseworkers to collect age and size information, then coordinated distribution with help from local donors.

Savannah Liles, who mentors Gunderman through the Miss Northwest program, said she feels proud of her progress and initiative.

“She really dove in headfirst,” Liles said. “She came to me with the idea and quickly figured out how to get it going. She tracks inventory, keeps up with requests, and already plans to expand her impact through educational outreach this fall.”

Liles said pageant participation often builds skills beyond the stage.

“She’s spent a lot of time connecting with others and finding ways to serve,” Liles said. “It’s been a fun process for her and a meaningful one.”

Gunderman now attends Northwest Shoals Community College and plans to graduate with an associate degree in science next spring. She will then transfer to the University of North Alabama to complete nursing school.

Meanwhile, she continues to raise support through events like the Miss Singing River community pageant, set for Aug. 16 at the Northwest Shoals campus gym. The fundraiser supports her platform and includes divisions for children and teens up to age 18.

Organizers will crown the next Miss Northwest Shoals on Feb. 21, 2026.

Gunderman also hopes to return to Miss Alabama by winning another preliminary title.

She encourages other young people to step up when they see a need — even if they feel unprepared.

“My biggest advice would be to just dive straight in,” she said.