From CARING for Children:
From late November to mid-December, there’s a secret that keeps growing in Asheville. It started about 15 years ago with just 8 little children in a residential foster care group home. It has continued over the years – without a lot of publicity or fanfare. Last year it touched the lives of almost 90 children. This year over 140 kids at CARING for Children will be treated to a wonderful Christmas thanks to their very own Secret Santa somewhere out in the community.
Most of the children are in the custody of the State of NC foster care system where foster families are paid a small monthly stipend for their care. When Christmas and birthdays come up, it’s usually the foster parents who must dig deep into their own pockets to give their child presents. That can be tough. Thanks to the Secret Santa project, these kid’s holiday dreams can come true – through the kindness of strangers out in the community.
Development Director and Secret Santa organizer Terri Bowman explained “Each child at CARING for Children fills out a Christmas wish list in November. Calls and emails start pouring in from individuals, businesses, churches and civic groups out in the community who want to do something special for a child. Then, as if by magic, the Christmas presents start pouring in! Each child gets what he or she really wants and there’s always a few surprises along the way!”
Some of the companies that have participated this year include: Sierra Nevada, Gentry Heating, Borg Warner, Town & Mountain Realty, Grace OB-GYN, Welcome Wellness and Willows Dream. In addition, over 75 individuals and groups like the Asheville Business Achievers Association have come forward to bring holiday spirit to foster kids and underprivileged families.
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