For four years now, Hope Is Everything has been assisting local Departments of Social Services (DSS) distribute Christmas gifts to kids put into protective custody (Foster Care.) When we started out, we focused on providing gifts to 50-75 kids in Albemarle and Nelson Counties and the City of Charlottesville. We have recently added Greene County and Augusta County. This past Christmas we helped to disperse gifts to over 150 kids! In some cases, some kids were put into protective custody days before Christmas with no hope or expectations of receiving anything Christmas morning. Here are some of the responses we received…
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Hope is Everything Program. They were able to provide for a family of 5 that I am working with and their kindness and thoughtfulness in providing Christmas gifts was tremendously helpful. Without their assistance, it would have been difficult for this mother to provide for her family during Christmas. Hope is Everything not only provided what the children asked for but provided a huge Christmas wish to the parent!! She was overwhelmingly happy and deeply appreciative.”
–Pamela Phillips, M.Ed. (Albemarle County Department of Social Services)
“The gifts this year were a huge show of love and support for some of our foster children that have very few supports. The gifts went to several children and young adults that have no loving adults in their life. The gifts reminded our foster children that they are not alone and that they are lovable. Some of our young adults were especially grateful because they did not anticipate receiving a Christmas present at all this year. Thank you so much Hope is Everything for giving our Greene county kids Hope this Christmas and holiday season.”
—Erin Johnson (Greene County Social Services Department)
Words cannot express or convey the depth of my gratitude, but I want to thank the donors and shoppers so much for your kindness. One of the most beautiful parts of this whole endeavor, besides the smiles on the children’s faces, is that they have no idea where the gifts come from. To some it must feel like magic. You all did this from your hearts. I am very moved and touched, as were the parents and guardians.
Thank You.