Businesses and County Employees Come Together for Foster Families

Published on January 09, 2019

Local businesses and county employees come together for foster and kinship families

Weld County children and teens in kinship and foster care enjoyed happier holidays thanks to generous donations by local businesses and county employees.

The Weld County Department of Human Services (DHS) hosted its annual Christmas parties for kinship and foster care families on December 18 and 19, respectively, at Island Grove Regional Park. In total, 526 individuals attended both parties. Festivities included catered meals, desserts, games, crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa and a chance to win one of 83 Santa bags, which were filled with donated gifts from numerous Weld County employees. Altogether, hundreds of stuffed animals, blankets, winter gear, books, games, gift cards and more were collected and distributed to all the children and youth in Weld County kinship and foster care.

Weld County thanks the following business partners, volunteers and organizations who contributed to the success of the 2018 Christmas parties: Ani Hulse, Bags of Love, Banner Health – PBO Unit, Blackjack Pizza, Blue Ribbon Builders, Colorado Girl Scout Troop #77931, Cornerstone Lending, Country Trailer Sales, Danny Juarez Foundation, Dickey’s BBQ – Fort Collins, Domino’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Generations Church, Guild Mortgage, Gyrath Realty, Joanna Gyrath, Kiwanis Longmont, Lisa and Brian Wheatcraft, Michelle Scott, Moonlight Carriage Company, Optimist Club, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, PDC Energy, Realities for Children, Rebecca Lorenz, Robert Childers, Roche Constructors, Sarah Woodward, Sears Mortgage, Tanya VanBeber, Tina O’Connell and Whitefield Church.

Because of the current shortage of available foster homes, Weld County launched a foster family recruitment campaign in August 2017. If you cannot become a foster parent, there are many other ways you can help, such as becoming a certified respite provider, volunteering to become a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), donating to Realities for Children (specify Weld County), or simply thanking and encouraging foster families in your community.