Days 29 through 33 - Fostering Hope

So today is the big 3-0 birthday...husband keeps asking me what I want and there really isn't anything (realistic) that I want or need, besides a dustbuster, very lame, I know. 

To tell you the truth, birthday celebrations aren't really what they used to be since Baby Boy came into the picture.  Last year I was preggo, and this year I have a six month old.  I don't see myself going out and getting crazy.  Baby Boy really is my favorite present after all.  I know that I am very blessed, and I try to count my blessings each day, knowing that there are so many who are not blessed.

I was reading a magazine at my parent's house several months ago and came across a really cool charity called "Fostering Hope."  Fostering Hope is a non-profit that provides goods and services to children residing in the foster care system in the Horry, Georgetown, Marion and Dillon counties of South Carolina. There are on average over 500 children within these counties that are in foster care due to abuse and or neglect.

Fostering Hope assists caseworkers and families by providing many of the basic items needed for the children.  They also have something called The Children’s Resource Center that is stocked with clothes, personal hygiene items, school supplies, toys, etc.

The goal of Fostering Hope is to ensure that each of these children is given new or nearly clothes, shoes, toys, hygiene items, and a duffle bag upon entering care. The children are permitted to go back quarterly to receive additional items at no cost to the foster families. The items are available at no charge to DSS or the children. For emergency assistance a case worker can contact the center and they provide a suitcase with age appropriate clothes and supplies that can be picked up within a few hours.

There is also have the Hope Fund which is for extracurricular activities such as music, dance, sports, etc. for children who are in long-term foster care. These activities are often the “little things” many of us take for granted that are not often available to children in foster care.

All items are provided to the foster families at no cost. Fostering Hope believes that by helping to support the foster families they can relieve some of the burden they assume when they welcome a child into their home and hearts...makes sense doesn't it? 

Fostering Hope relies solely on local contributions, both financial and in kind, to keep their facility open and operating, and they are very proud of “the closet."

Visit them at www.fosteringhopeinc.com and donate!