"Spirit of Christmas" Provide Hundreds of Gifts for Foster Children
By: Melissa Foy
Updated: December 13, 2012
The nearly 400 area children who are in foster care or in facilities for abused and neglected children are going to have a very Merry Christmas thanks to the generosity of Wichita County residents and businesses.
Wichita County Child Welfare Board members and Child Protective Services staff were busy playing Santa's elves today in a toy workshop of their own, right here in Texoma.
It was looking a lot like Christmas at the 10th and Broad Church of Christ in Wichita Falls.
It would be any kid's ultimate winter wonderland complete with bikes, toys, clothes, workout equipment gift cards.
You name it, it was probably there.
Jeri Hutchinson, vice-chairwoman of the Child Welfare Board, says, "All the gifts you see around here are gifts that were given from the community."
Donated by individuals, churches, and other organizations, and going to the homes that graciously open their doors and hearts for children in need.
"It's the way we are able to give Christmas to the kids in foster care or who are not with their natural parents or are with an extended family for whatever reason," Hutchinson says.
Vivian Kirkpatrick, chairwoman of the Child Welfare Board, says, "Otherwise kids that are under the care, without the generosity of individuals and businesses, unfortunately would not have Christmas."
Local children placed in homes outside the county won't go empty-handed.
"The families will either come here, and if they can't, then our case workers will deliver those toys," Kirkpatrick says.
Giving foster children another reason to feel all warm and fuzzy inside, even as our coldest season nears.
"They need to feel loved and wanted and that there is a Santa Claus somewhere," Hutchinson says. "Maybe not in the North Pole. Maybe Wichita Falls. Maybe Burkburnett."
"The Spirit of Christmas" has been providing a joyous holiday to hundreds of children each year since the 1980's.
Each child submits a wish list, and the presents bought are from that list.
But don't worry, the gifts won't take the place of what Santa has in store for the kiddos!
Wichita County Child Welfare Board members and Child Protective Services staff were busy playing Santa's elves today in a toy workshop of their own, right here in Texoma.
It was looking a lot like Christmas at the 10th and Broad Church of Christ in Wichita Falls.
It would be any kid's ultimate winter wonderland complete with bikes, toys, clothes, workout equipment gift cards.
You name it, it was probably there.
Jeri Hutchinson, vice-chairwoman of the Child Welfare Board, says, "All the gifts you see around here are gifts that were given from the community."
Donated by individuals, churches, and other organizations, and going to the homes that graciously open their doors and hearts for children in need.
"It's the way we are able to give Christmas to the kids in foster care or who are not with their natural parents or are with an extended family for whatever reason," Hutchinson says.
Vivian Kirkpatrick, chairwoman of the Child Welfare Board, says, "Otherwise kids that are under the care, without the generosity of individuals and businesses, unfortunately would not have Christmas."
Local children placed in homes outside the county won't go empty-handed.
"The families will either come here, and if they can't, then our case workers will deliver those toys," Kirkpatrick says.
Giving foster children another reason to feel all warm and fuzzy inside, even as our coldest season nears.
"They need to feel loved and wanted and that there is a Santa Claus somewhere," Hutchinson says. "Maybe not in the North Pole. Maybe Wichita Falls. Maybe Burkburnett."
"The Spirit of Christmas" has been providing a joyous holiday to hundreds of children each year since the 1980's.
Each child submits a wish list, and the presents bought are from that list.
But don't worry, the gifts won't take the place of what Santa has in store for the kiddos!
