Every child hopes and dreams of receiving gifts during the holiday season, something new to wear, or that special toy; children who have experienced abuse and neglect are no different. Voices for Children is hosting its annual Holiday Drive, benefitting children served by the program. The goal of the Holiday Drive is to provide children in foster care with gifts for the holiday season.
“CASA volunteers serve children who have been removed from their homes and have experienced abuse and neglect. Having new clothes and gifts for the holiday season is something that can give the children served by the program a sense of normalcy,” Amy Faulkner, Executive Director at Voices for Children said. “The Holiday Drive is a great opportunity to help the children in our community, and we invite you to join us in meeting this need.”
In the past, Voices for Children has collected wishlists for the children served by the program, shared these with the community, and collected toys and clothing provided by the community. This year the Voices for Children office will be undergoing renovations necessitating the closure of our office. As a result, the organization is changing the way the annual holiday drive is hosted this year. Instead of collecting and distributing clothing and toys at the office, Voices for Children is asking that our community partners donate gift cards in the amounts of $25 and $50 (Visa preferred). These will be distributed to the caregivers and volunteers to purchase gifts for the individual children. While Voices for Children is unable to host the usual toy drive, the organization wants to ensure the children served are able to enjoy the holiday season.
If you or someone you know would like to donate, Voices for Children is offering the following drop-off locations:
● October 23, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Mimosa Mercantile 212 S Echols St, Caldwell
● October 25, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Harvest Coffee Bar, 101 N Main St, Bryan
● November 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Polite Coffee Roasters, 800 S Bryan Ave, Bryan
● November 3, Noon to 4 p.m. - Classic Rock Coffee Co. and Kitchen, 129 E Washington Ave, Navasota
● November 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Starbucks on University Drive, 409 University Dr, College Station
● November 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Starbucks on Rock Prairie Rd, 3985 Texas 6 Frontage Rd, College Station
● November 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mimosa Mercantile, 212 S Echols St, Caldwell
● November 20, Noon to 4 p.m. at Classic Rock Coffee Co. and Kitchen, 129 E Washington Ave, Navasota
All drop-off locations will be staffed by Voices For Children staff during the listed hours.
Gift cards can be mailed to the Voices for Children office at 115 N Main St., Bryan TX 77803. Donations for the purchase of gift cards can also be made online at www.vfcbrazos.org/donate. Voices for Children welcomes the opportunity to work with businesses and organizations during the holiday drive. Please contact vfc@vfcbrazos.org for more information.
The Holiday Drive is held during the months of October and November. Donations will need to be received by November 28, 2023. Voices for Children hopes to provide a minimum of $75 per child for holiday gifts.
About Voices for Children
Voices for Children is driven by its mission to improve the lives of children in foster care through powerful volunteer advocacy until each child is placed in a safe and permanent home. Voices for Children is the local CASA program serving the Brazos Valley (Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, and Madison counties) with the goal of training volunteer advocates to amplify the voices of children in the child welfare system. Since its founding in 2000, Voices for Children has worked to recruit and train volunteers from the community to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates for children in foster care. CASA programs are made of, and for, the local community. By giving financially, volunteering, or advocating for children involved in the child welfare system, everyone can help amplify the voices of children and ensure they are heard.
Courtesy of Amy Faulkner, Executive Director
