Over 400 local foster and high-needs children in need of holiday gifts

SAN LUIS OBISPO, November 3, 2009—The Family Care Network will hold its annual Sponsor a Child for Christmas gift gathering effort, partnering with the Central Coast community to provide specifically requested gifts for the over 400 foster and high-needs children, youth and families the organization will serve this December in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. The help of the Central Coast community is especially needed this year, as many previous partners of the agency are now unable to participate in this year’s effort as a result of the current economy.

For many children in foster care and families struggling to make ends meet, the holidays are a time of uncertainty and hopelessness. During this time, the Family Care Network mobilizes the community to support these often over looked populations by enlisting the community in the fulfillment of Wish List cards. Wish List cards include the specific gift requests from every child, youth and family served by the Family Care Network, and are distributed to community members in order for the gifts to be purchased and the Christmas wishes granted. While the current economic climate is posing a financial challenge to many of our generous community members, individuals are becoming more creative and are choosing to partner with their friends, family and co-workers in order to fulfill gift requests.

Gift wishes include anything from a fishing pole for a foster child, toddler clothes for a teen mom or gift cards for families in need. Interested? To Sponsor a Child for Christmas, please call the Family Care Network at (805) 781-3535 in order to select a Wish List card. Once you have purchased the items on your selected Wish List card, please deliver all of your unwrapped presents to one of the Family Care Network’s offices by December 4th at 4:30pm. Office locations include 3765 S. Higuera St. in San Luis Obispo, 1660 S. Broadway in Santa Maria and 351 S. Hitchcock Way, Suite B110 in Santa Barbara.

For more information on how you can participate in Sponsor a Child for Christmas or on other ways you can help support local foster and high-needs children and families throughout the year, please contact the Family Care Network at (805) 781-3535 or visit our website at FCNI.org.