SALE-based charity A Better Life for Foster Kids is calling on the corporate community to help it make this Christmas a merrier one for children in out-of-home care.
Charity founder Heather Baird said Christmas could be a trying time for children living in care, but with the care and support of the community, it could be a much better one.
Heather is already busy wrapping parcels for distribution to foster organisations and families in time for Christmas, but needs more to ensure no child misses out.
“We are so lucky here because we get incredible community support for what we do – the community has really taken this charity to heart and I am grateful for that,” she said.
“But every year demand rises and we need more support, so we put out the call.”
The charity, now in its fifth year, collects, wraps and distributes the donated items, with every foster child – as well as the foster family’s biological children – receiving three toys each in a gift-wrapped parcel.
Heather said the Christmas gifts were often “a game changer” for the children who received them, their carers and families.
“It’s been so great to see the look on the children’s faces and hear from the carers what a difference the gift had made,” she said.
“It really does help them feel better and takes some of the stress off the carers too.”
Last year, A Better Life for Foster Kids provided about 1500 gifts to foster families.
All new donations of toys (not books) are accepted. For information about where to drop items off, text or phone Heather on 0412 154 424.
