Area Couple Auctions Pokémon Collection To Help Foster Kids

A Falls Township woman and her wife are auctioning off collectibles to help fund home renovations that will allow them to foster kids in need of homes.

Mel and Rel Kulenski, both in their early 30s, moved into Mel’s family home after her parents passed away in 2020 and 2021. The transition from an apartment made the ample space of the house more apparent.

“There were two of us and we had all this space. It almost felt wrong,” said Mel, a social worker and therapist.

Following a miscarriage in 2022, Mel and Rel began exploring foster parenting, a decision that quickly felt right for them.

The couple have since welcomed two teenagers through Bucks County Children and Youth.

The experience has been rewarding for Mel and Rel, who have realized the joys of parenthood and adjusted to adding two teens to the house.

“The kids are our world,” Mel said. “Parenting isn’t a cakewalk, but it has been rewarding.”

Mel and Rel are looking to foster a third child, but to do so, the Falls Township home they live in will need upgrades, including turning the garage into a wheelchair-accessible living space and a second bathroom will have to be added.

Mel said the cost of the work is expected to be $50,000 to $60,000.

The couple is planning to borrow money to make the renovations a reality.

To help fund their goal, Mel is auctioning off her large Pokémon collection.

The auction, managed by Tom Hall Auctions, features cards, toys, games, figurines, and gaming consoles.

Click here to view the auction or view a GoFundMe campaign for the renovations.

Mel’s collection has grown over the years and has a sentimental value to her, but she knows its sale could offset some of the renovation expenses.

The auction and the renovations are an investment in the family’s future and the well-being of foster children in need, according to Mel.

“At the end of one’s life, what do things mean? What really matters in life? Your legacy and the people you impact and touch,” she said.

For those considering fostering, Mel said the experience is worthwhile.

“There’s a need for foster parents,” she said. “Anyone can do it.”

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