2009.11.03
Christmas for foster care children
Here's a release that Nancy Hans of the Roanoke County Prevention Council shares with us from Betty McCrary, Roanoke County director of Social Services:
Yes it's time - get ready to put away the pumpkins and start thinking about that Christmas cheer, shopping, wrapping, snow, decorations, eating (especially eating) etc. The Social Service Department has 119 children in foster care today. This number changes frequently. The children are placed in foster homes, group homes or residential treatment facilities. Many have limited, or no, contact with their families and many families are unable to provide financially for the child's Christmas. Each year, our department depends on the goodness and support of others to help these children receive gifts for Christmas. The department has no funds to provide these gifts.
We are asking departments and/or individuals to "sponsor" a child/children for Christmas. This year we have children ranging in age from 6 months to 18 years ( we also have several in college). We are trying to secure a preferred gift list for each child from their foster parent or person responsible for their care to assist you with purchasing the gifts. If you do not want to shop, purchase and wrap the gifts, but will consider adopting a child by providing financial support, the child's social worker will be glad to do the shopping and wrapping of the gifts.
In order to have sufficient time for gift distribution, we ask the gifts be delivered to our department by Monday, December 7.
We can also accept financial donations in cash or check to Roanoke County Social Services. We often receive children in foster care after the gift deadline and unfortunately, in the past, we have had children sponsored by groups and then the groups did not follow through, leaving the child at the gift deadline date with no Christmas. Donations would be used to supplement in these situations.
Anyone interested in sponsoring a foster care child for Christmas may contact Lise Martin, 387-6087, ext. 210, or send her an e-mail at LMARTIN@ROANOKECOUNTYVA.GOV. If you wish to make a financial donation, please contact me at 387-6237 or BMCCRARY@ROANOKECOUNTYVA.GOV.
