Utah Foster Care is inviting the community to give the gift of connection this holiday season to support local kids in the foster care system. Children often come into a foster home feeling out of place and lonely with very few things of their own and this can be especially true during the Christmas season. Lauren Hoffman explains that the Connection Kits are specifically designed to help the child create new memories so they can feel safe and feel that they belong in their new home. “When kids enter a new home they have their guard up,” explains Hoffman. “Having these Connection Kits puts a pause on that for a while and allows the kids to be kids.” The donations for the Connection Kits can be almost anything. Gift cards to restaurants or stores can help the kids feel special and help the foster parents cover expenses that are coming out of their pocket. Donating games, activities, or tickets to places kids enjoy, like the theater or museum, provide the kids with fun activities to anticipate and a way to bond with their foster family. Donations can also be more practical like a gift certificate for getting a haircut or buying hygiene items. For more information or to get involved, call 360-320-4888 or visit UtahFosterCare.org.
