WASHINGTON, D.C. (WJLA/CNN) - Elizabeth Andrews knew she wanted to help students find a place to stay when they travel to March for Our Lives in Washington, D.C.
"I think my first thought was that we would just find the group who does this sort of thing," Andrews said.
It turns out, there isn't one. So, she and a group of moms created March For Our Lives Lodging.
"Each one of these little pins will relate to a family," said Julie Stewart, another mom in the group.
They're coordinating host families - more than a thousand so far - who are offering up a room or two.
"The kids in Florida have really shown the way. And we as parents, the least we can do is suit up and do our best to help them," Sullivan explained.
Stewart calls herself the "matchmaker" and finds the student and their chaperone a free place to stay.
"It feels good to know that we have people out there who are supporting us," Stoneman Douglas High School junior Joselande Milius said.
Stoneman Douglas High School lost 17 students and teachers during the Valentine's Day a shooting.
Milius said the only way she's able to come to the March 24 demonstration is because of the D.C. moms.
"All of us from Florida, we really appreciate you guys. You are giving us a home without knowing who we really are. We are just strangers and yet the fact that you believe in us as tomorrow's leaders. I am really happy," Milius said.
"It took a bunch of kids to get us here, but for the first time, I feel really hopeful," Andrews said.
The mothers aren't just helping students coming from Florida.
So far, they have placed protesters who will be traveling from Minnesota, Oregon, New York and Washington state.
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