The holiday season is once again upon us. For many of us, it’s the most wonderful time of year because it’s a chance for us to spend time with and show our appreciation to our loved ones. How many of us take for granted the fact that we have people to share this time of year with?
Most children love the holidays. Time off from school, big family gatherings and let’s not forget letters to Santa Claus. Whether getting cozy by the fire or marvelling at all the gifts perfectly wrapped beneath the tree, how many of us don’t cherish the memories we have of the holidays from when we were young? Of course, unfortunately not every child has such pleasant memories of the holidays.
When you are a child in foster care, the holidays rarely bring the joy they are supposed to. Not only does the emphasis on family togetherness underline their tragic situation, they also must come to terms with the fact that they may not receive any gifts from Santa. From a very young age, children learn that Santa Claus only delivers gifts to good little boys and girls and the bad ones get coal or nothing at all.
Most foster children are still relatively young and when they don’t get anything from Santa on Christmas morning, they end up blaming themselves. Life as a foster kid is hard enough. These children don’t need to feel abandoned by Santa on top of everything else they have been through. This is why LinkNow Media is proud to announce that the New Secret Santa Project is back for another year with even higher goals to make an even bigger impact on the lives of children in the care of the Batshaw Youth and Family Centres.
Last year, we set out to raise $25,000 and 2,500 gifts for foster kids in Montreal. We were thrilled to have raised a grand total of $33,00 for the Batshaw Youth and Family Centres and all of their kids received gifts. However, we won’t be satisfied until we can do more. This year, our goal is to raise at least $40,000 and over 3,000 gifts for these children in foster care who so desperately need some holiday spirit.
We are confident that we can exceed these lofty goals, but we know we can’t do it without your help. So, if you want to make a difference in a child’s life, you can:
- Make a donation. Whatever you can spare is more than enough. Every dollar counts.
- Buy a gift. We typically buy gifts in the $35-$50 range. The kids ask for typical things but many of them ask for practical items we take for granted. Whatever you can contribute will be much appreciated.
- Spread the word. Many hands make light work. The more people know about the New Secret Santa Project, the easier it will be to surpass our 2017 goal. Share this page, post on social media, tell a friend.
These kids have already been through enough hardship to last a lifetime. Raising money, donating gifts and spreading the word to raise awareness can help ease the strain this holiday season.
Come back for regular updates on our progress and other ways you can get involved. If you wish to contact us, you can email us at fundraising@linknowmedia.com.