From our founder, Alison: 

Sometimes when kids are sent out of their home county for foster care, things slip through the cracks. This young man is about to turn 18, but was never assigned a Guardian ad Litem. He asked about the program when one of our amazing guardians was visiting another boy at his group home, and she got involved right away. Sadly he received nothing personal for Christmas due to not being on any gift lists, but he did receive a Santa Sack from us. He asked for a few things below for Christmas, but his wish list never made it to anyone.

For his final foster care birthday, I hope you will help show him that he is remembered and loved! This shy boy loves to cook and play video games, and he loves The Goonies!

From our founder, Alison:

The best Christmas Eve of my life was spent delivering Santa Sacks to foster homes all over Volusia County. 200 miles, 35 kids, 7 foster parents, and countless smiles.
I found out there would be some very young children in some of these foster homes, so they all received special bags as well. I delivered comfort packs to the group homes that are welcoming new lives for Christmas, and made plans to deliver more! I was even invited in to a home to watch a couple girls open their bags… you’ve never seen so much joy over a wallet. They also exclaimed that they had “always wanted to go to a Starbucks” when they found their gift cards. The blankets and fuzzy socks were a huge hit, as the heat in the home was not working. There were immediate smiles and squeals of joy as they went through their goodies, and their foster mom was so tender and grateful.
I told the girls that there are a lot of people out there who love them, and want to do nice things to show they care

From our founder, Alison:

This weekend brought an unexpected opportunity to meet an incredible young man. Some of you will recall the request for kitchen items to help prepare him for living on his own. He recently turned 18, and I’ve just been waiting for him to get his own place so he would have room for all his gifts. His Guardian ad Litem was not able to meet, so she suggested that I bring his gifts straight to him.

This young man has been through the kind of trauma and unfair survival that would make it understandable for him to be hardened and angry with the world. But the moment we got out of our cars to meet for lunch, his genuine smile melted me. He was immediately kind. I asked if could give him a hug, and I do believe he really thought about it before answering yes. It was an embrace I will never forget, as I have spent over a year caring about this boy, never thinking I’d get a chance to meet him.

We talked for a couple of hours. He was proud to show me pictures of welding projects and custom car work he’s done, and intends to start his own business. He showed me dozens of pictures and videos of his cat, who he dearly loves and has worked to pay for vet visits. He told me about his decision to take the GED at age 16 so that he could start learning his trade rather than high school.

He is undeniably bright and talented.

He thanked me for last year’s birthday gifts, including the latest and greatest Xbox for his group home, and said that all the boys in the home enjoyed it very much. I told him about the incredible local doctor who donated it, explaining that there are lots of people who genuinely care, and want to send love and joy to kids going through a hard life.

For those of you who read this far, you’re in for an emotional treat. I was surprised to learn that his Guardian told him about Fostering Kindness. I was blown away when he told me that he recently got Amazon Prime… that he has seen the wish lists I post and wants to help when he can. I asked him to hang on to his money, and to help other kids when he can. He is interested in mentoring foster youth, so I offered to help him find an opportunity.

Thank you for the time you invested in him by reading this far, and for the birthday gifts that show him you care. If you would like to offer any more help on his journey, I’ve got PetSmart and Amazon gift cards on this wish list.

From our founder, Alison:

My heart aches when I hear stories about the children we serve. But I carry on with a smile because I continue to hear what a difference we make. Today, however, I am heartbroken about a last minute birthday request. We have a young lady who was adopted out of foster care, along with her siblings. Tragically they have all been removed from those adoptive parents due to abuse. I cannot even fathom the pain and rejection these children are struggling to process.

I need to get some gifts together quickly so as not to miss her 16th birthday, and I’d like to put together some special comfort packs for her siblings as well. Due to the hurricane in my area of Florida, I know there will be shipping delays. I will go shopping for these kids this weekend when the weather permits, so I’m asking for your support. Please let me know if you’d like to help by donating funds for gifts.

From a Volusia County Guardian ad Litem:

I was off to deliver this Sweet 16 gift bag. It is such a joy to watch her discover each special gift within the bag, and she picked up on the butterfly theme right away. She loved the satin pillow cases, and started explaining to her foster brother how they keep her hair from getting frizzy. With all new art supplies, in various mediums, she said she’s inspired to get back into her artwork, and then bragged to her foster bro that she’s actually good at it (which she is) Each gift was appreciated, and welcomed, especially as she’d previously been sharing her disappointment that her remaining bio family wouldn’t come to her birthday dinner. Alison, you and your team of contributors made her feel remembered and important! What a gift for this young woman!!

From our founder, Alison:

If you were part of our group back in May, you might recall the fundraiser to send a boy to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. It was his birthday, and he was living in a situation at the time that did not allow for gifts. He was sharing one room with his five siblings, and personal items tended to disappear. He was interested in space and science, so we decided to give him an experience that nobody could take from him. Though it’s been six months in the making, due to changes beyond our control, he finally got to spend his day at Kennedy Space Center with his little brother! A professionally guided personal tour was generously donated by the owner of Galactic Medallion, Elizabeth Schneider, who spent the whole day taking them on behind-the-scenes experiences. The grand finale was a front row view of a rocket launch! The boys were excited and thankful for everything, including the souvenirs in their NASA backpacks.
Thank you for making this dream come true, and for giving these brothers the experience and happy memories to last a lifetime