Assistance League’s ‘Giving Tree’ brightens foster youths’ Christmas

With the generosity of Assistance League volunteers and community members, Operation Foster Youth, an Assistance League philanthropic program, was able to provide 153 foster kids Christmas gifts as well as new backpacks, and quilts.  Also provided were 145 activity passes for the foster kids to do over the Christmas holiday.  A total of 298 foster kids will have a brighter Christmas through Assistance League’s Christmas ‘Giving Tree’ program.

Gifts were collected and donated to Koinonia Family Services, The Heart Matters Foster Family Agency and Kamali’i Foster Agency. “Our agency would like to thank Wendy Bradshaw and Assistance League volunteers for their generous Christmas donations for our foster youth. Thank you so much from everyone here at The Heart Matters Foster Family Agency.” said Lorre Hendricks.

Operation Foster Youth facilitates collaboration with local foster care homes and foster family agencies to provide service in the form of basic essentials of clothing and necessary supplies to foster family agencies for children entering the foster care system. This program’s service may include assisting foster care homes in providing support for former foster youth to successfully transition into adulthood. In addition, Christmas presents and summer activities for youth are provided through the foster family agencies. Wendy Bradshaw, Operation Foster Youth chairman, said “The Foster youth “Giving Tree” Program is a labor of love.  We know how much it means to the foster kids to see a special gift for them on Christmas morning.  I love just imagining the smiles on their faces as they open their gifts on Christmas.  That is truly what Christmas is all about.”

Assistance League Thrift Shop, 28720 Via Montezuma, Temecula, is the main source of revenue for all chapter programs. Assistance League of Temecula Valley is a non-profit, all volunteer philanthropic 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to serving the needs of families in Southwest Riverside County for the last 29 years. For more information about philanthropic programs or membership information, call 951.694.8018 or visit the chapter website at www.assistanceleague.org/temecula-valley/

Photo Caption:At left Sara Montoya, Koinonia, receives donations from Denise Lanier, Assistance League President & Wendy Bradshaw, Operation Foster Youth Chairman; On right Lorre Hendricks, The Heart Matters, receives gifts from Wendy Bradshaw