(Posted 2022 February)
We would like to spotlight three organizations that went above and beyond to help make the 2021 holidays brighter for children in Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption.
Santa’s Workshop
In December 2021, DFS received a large donation of holiday gifts for children in foster care. Touching Heart Kids on a Mission partnered with the National Honor Society at South Lakes High School to collect a wide variety of toys, books, games, socks, and gloves primarily for children under 10 years old. According to Lisa Cignetti, the program director of Touching Hearts, the estimated value of this generous donation was $1500.
Throughout the pandemic, Touching Heart has provided holiday gifts through Santa’s Workshop, monetary gifts to be used to support youth in foster care, as well as support to foster parents. We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with this nonprofit organization.
Foster Kid Gift Drive
Continuing the trend from last year, The Fairfax County Democratic Committee’s Foster Kid Gift Drive set a record for giving. The donation’s estimated value is more than $48,000, marking the largest single donation to the Department of Family Services.
FCDC raised enough to provide holiday gift bags, birthday and graduation presents for every child and teen up to age 20 in the Foster Care and Adoption program. Contributions also support the sometimes-overlooked needs of children and teens in foster care such as sports/dance equipment and lessons, art supplies, scientific calculators, furniture and transportation.
The drive also raised enough to contribute a significant amount to the emergency fund, allowing DFS to be prepared for what is anticipated to be a tough winter for our community’s most vulnerable residents.
Fairfax County Foster Care is so grateful for all our donors including Touching Heart Kids on a Mission, the National Honor Society at South Lakes High School, Fairfax County Democratic Committee, and many more for such an outpouring of compassion for the children in foster care. This generosity helps to make a positive lasting impact in their lives.
There are always opportunities to help children and families impacted by foster care. Learn more about our Foster Care and Adoption program.
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
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