One of the highlights of the holiday season is spending time with family, but for many children in our community, this year that may not be possible. During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it is important to remember these little ones and in addition to foster parents everywhere who are making a huge difference, we can all lend a helping hand in other ways. There are plenty of things that we can all do to brighten the holidays for children who would greatly benefit from their needs being met and a little extra cheer, too.
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE – “Since 1980 Christian Heritage has been caring for Nebraska’s abused and neglected children in the foster care system. We are so thankful for all of our foster parents who have dedicated their lives and have opened up their home to care for children. Together we can make sure that every child in Nebraska’s foster care system has a home. If you feel CALLED to be a foster parent please visit chne.org.
What if you do not feel called to do foster care but still want to make a difference in the life of a child? Here is how you can help! Christian Heritage Foster Care needs include: Diapers, Cribs, Strollers, Car Seats, Donations for Washer/Dryer in Campus Homes, Towels/Wash Cloths for Campus Homes, and Donations of Children’s Christmas Gifts.”
LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES – “Families who foster children through Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) receive a tremendous amount of support from the LFS foster care staff, many of whom are foster and/or adoptive parents themselves. Often, when children move into foster care, they come with nothing other than the clothing they are wearing. If it happens to be the middle of the night, they may only have pajamas.
The LFS Foster Care Team is prepared to help families at any time of day with a donor-stocked ‘closet’ of items so the foster family will not be forced to visit a store for essential items. You can help make sure these families can quickly receive the items they need by donating new and gently-used clothing and shoes (infant to 19 years), winter coats and jackets, sock and underwear, cribs, pack-n-plays, laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, anti-bacterial wipes, diapers, baby wipes, shampoo, body wash, bunk beds, or other baby supplies and disposable cameras.
You can also help established foster families by donating family board games, tickets to events, gift cards for a night at the movies or at a restaurant. You can even become part of an old-fashioned food chain for foster families facing extreme or unusual circumstances. For example, LFS staff once helped provide dinners for two weeks during the sudden hospitalization of a child. You can even put a foster care recruitment sign in your yard or at your place of business! Please email fostercare@lfsneb.org for a sign or to make donations. You can also help spread the word about the great need for more foster parents to love and care for the wonderful children facing this life challenge.”
CEDARS – “This year, CEDARS expects to care for over 2,500 children in the community, and there are many ways you can assist us in that work. Support and advocacy for the children in CEDARS care is so important. Consider liking CEDARS on Facebook to find out ways to be involved and learn more about our work with kids experiencing crisis. Another way to support CEDARS is to help provide some of the personal items that the children and youth have need for when they come into our care. Bedding, bath towels, shampoo, a razor and shaving cream, and even soap are needed, and supplies can run short. When the kids return to their families, or join new foster families, we want them to take such items with them. That’s when we need more for the new youth arriving at our doors. Monetary donations are also very helpful, and allow us the flexibility to purchase the items in greatest need. To donate or learn what is in highest demand, just call (402) 434-KIDS (5437) or email info@cedars-kids.org. We guarantee your gifts will be used—and appreciated!”
Helping others who are less fortunate than ourselves has been and will always be a cornerstone of holiday spirit, and there are many great ways to positively impact the lives of children who may not get to enjoy all of the wonderful aspects of the holidays that we often take for granted. Please keep the needs of these wonderful organizations in mind over the next couple of months—there truly are few things more rewarding then bringing joy to children in our community during the holidays.
Would you like to be included in this column in 2015?
Contact Angela Woltman at (402) 890-3406 or angela@strictlybusinessomaha.com.