It's a Very MERRY Teen Foster Christmas - Post #1

Alright folks here's the post you all have been waiting for...details regarding our Foster Teen Christmas. I thought I'd start with a letter from Tammy Champo, (who really is a champ-o! She's does incredible things for these kids) volunteer and donation coordinator for SL Youth Services.

(*Notice that ALL donations are tax deductible)

September 29, 2009

Dear Kristin Hodson and Supporters:
Thank you for your interest in serving the youth at the Salt Lake County Division of Youth Services. For more than 30 years we have been aiding youth and their families in the greater Salt Lake area. We have grown from our humble beginnings of a few counseling offices and a small home for emergency shelter to now serving nearly 10,000 youth and their families each year. Though we have grown, our overall goal is still the same, to make a positive difference in the lives of children, youth and families.

As the holiday season approaches and the spirit of giving is in the air, we value the generosity of community members like you in order to provide those in need with a special gift. Holiday donations are especially appreciated for the youth staying in our teenage group homes between the ages of 11 and 18. Many of the youth are in state custody because of abuse and neglect and are waiting for a more permanent placement, either in foster care or with family members. Many of these youth have been in and out of foster homes for many years and Youth Services becomes a safety net in between those placements. Special gifts ease the homesick and heartache the youth feel being away from their families during a time when most are with their loved ones. We appreciate any and all contributions because it helps the youth feel valued and remembered.

All donations are tax-deductible and are received through our non-profit arm, ShelterKids Inc. More information is available on the web site at www.shelterkids.org. We also invite you to get involved through our one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities. Your time is a gift that keeps on giving and not only will it give you an opportunity to meet the youth but also to make a lifelong impact
as a mentor to a youth in need. You can also stay connected to our current needs and activities on our Facebook Page and our Twitter Account. Find the links on our web site at www.youth.slco.org.

Thank you again for your time and generosity. Feel free to contact me with
any questions or interests.

Warmest Regards,
Tammy Champo
Youth Services Volunteer and Donation Coordinator
801.269.7506 tchampo@slco.org

It's a Very Merry Teen Foster Christmas - Post #2

THE DETAILS YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR

I've been working closely with Tammy and I asked her to send me her "dream list" to give these kids a good Christmas. She told me in years prior, when they have had the funds, they have had approximately $50 per child. However, they haven't always had funds which has meant going to other "children's homes" where donations were in abundance and snagging some of their present overflow. (people tend to think little kids when doing Christmas donations) I think what really stood out to me is a comment she told me about from one of the teens where he couldn't BELIEVE he got more than candy...that he got an actual present. Thinking what I'm thinking?

Alright so here's The Dream list. We've decided there has to be some method to the madness so please read the "How Can I Help" section just below the list. We will keep this blog updated with info and how close we are to our goal so check back often!

Goal: Make Christmas dreams come true for 17 boys and 17 girls - Someone has already signed up to sponsor 5 youth so you'll notice the numbers being less than targeted goal)

Holiday Package Teen Boy:

* $25 Gift Card ** (Target or Wal-Mart) x15
* Hand Held Video Game x15
* Axe Gift Sets (as in the cologne :) x15
* Pajama Set and Slippers x15
* Tech Deck Skate Board Sets (finger skate boards) x15
* Model Car/Airplane x15
* Deck of Cards x15

Holiday Package Teen Girl:

* $25 Gift Card ** (Target or Wal-Mart) x14
* Hand Held Video Game x14
* Makeup x14
* Lotion kits x14
* Jewelry x14
* Pajama Set, Robe and Slippers x14
* Journal x14

** The gift card is by far their favorite because they get to shop for themselves without someone else telling them what it has to be used for, something they rarely get to do.

Other great gift ideas: (these would be our icing on the cake)

* Teen appropriate remote control toys (cars, airplanes, etc)
* Teen appropriate movies (No R rated movies)
* Teen appropriate books: Twilight, Eragon, Fablehaven, Artemis Fowle, Harry
Potter, etc

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP AND GET INVOLVED

We are trying to find MANY ways people who want to be involved can get involved in a way that is best suited to them and their circumstances. Some people have called and are going to make Christmas cards, others are going to make BIG decorated sugar cookies, others are going to get their churches involved...bottom line is the sky is the limit. The point is to give these teens an incredible Christmas.

If you are wanting to get involved, please send me an email to: kristinbhodson@gmail.com or leave a comment on my blog. I will keep a running log about what needs have been fulfilled and what is left. REMEMBER: if you have something in mind outside of what is listed that's FANTASTIC! Just let me know and we'll include it.

THANKS EVERYONE...I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED...LITERALLY :)

Foster Night Out On The Town

A little bit ago I blogged about what the Mister and I were planning on doing for Christmas. This post is part one of our two part Christmas plans for the teens in the Salt Lake foster program. Just so you know, we have chosen the foster TEENS because they are often the most overlooked population when it comes to the holidays. People usually think kids, homeless, families with little children, etc. We wanted these kids to have a Christmas they would always remember.

November 30th we are planning a night that very few of these kids have ever experienced up to this point in their lives...A night out on the town! Complete with dressing up for a dinner at a restaurant downtown followed by attending our local professional dance company's Christmas performance of It's a Wonderful Life. Tammy, the volunteer coordinator for Division of Youth Services said, "Most of these kids have never even had a chance to eat out at a real restaurant outside of fast food! They will love to have a chance to get dressed up, put on make-up and practice some real-life etiquette." Keep in mind, once these youth turn 18, they "age-out" of the system. This means they don't have a home with a family and they no longer can participate with the State. For some, this may be their only chance at a night like this.

After that first blog, most of you wanted to know how you could help. Here's what is entailed with Part I:

1) Odyssey Dance Company has granted us the tickets needed for EVERYONE!!! (By the way if you haven't seen their THRILLER performance, there is still time! You won't be disappointed.)

2) Transportation is all squared away thanks to the awesome Recreation Therapist at the group home.

3) My awesome talentad Mother-In-Law will be creating a fancy invitation to be delivered about a week before the big event.

HERE'S WHAT'S LEFT TO BE DONE

4) Buying and creating gift bags to be enjoyed during the performance complete with: bottled water and a couple of sweet treats.

5) Finding a local restaurant to host 30 Teens plus 8 volunteers for a tasty meal. We are shooting for the moon in hoping they might donate the food, or possible give it to us at cost. If not, bring on the fund raising.

Here's an itemized break-down of items 4, 5. If you think you can help with any of it, leave a comment and/or email me at: kristinbhodson@gmail.com

* 30 Bottles of water (Costco)
* 30 Decorative Sacks
* 30 Movie Size Candy Bars
* 30 Movie Size Sour or Sweet Candies such as: Dots, Sour Patch Kids, Etc.
* Helping to locate a restaurant in the Salt Lake Valley, the closer to Downtown the
better.


Want to participate in our Foster Teen Christmas? Be watching for the post detailing how YOU can get involved :) We are going to provide Christmas for 30 foster teens, giving them a Christmas they'll never forget. The cost? A mere $100 per teen. If we get many involved it could only cost each person what it would cost for a family to head to Cafe Rio for dinner. Most of the years, the staff are having to snag overflow from their child home in order to provide Christmas for their teen home. Do something great this year and join us!

I'm a Gym Rat

Mom and Dad took me to my own Little Gym on Saturday to see if I liked it. Miss Melissa was really nice and had all sorts of things for me to do. I played with sticks, over-sized balls, bells then went and explored the entire gym. Dad put me on the pull-up bar and I was able to hang for 5 seconds! Mom and Dad were so surprised and laughing so hard they missed the photo op. Then they wanted me to do it again so they could take a picture but that's like asking someone to be funny on demand. Maybe I'll do it next time. After that I practiced doing handstands and back somersaults. At the end of class, my teacher blew bubbles all over the gym and because they had sugar on them they didn't pop until I popped them! Some even got stuck in my hair, which was pretty cool. Oh and there was music the whole time but I was the only one who danced. I have a new move that my dad taught me...it's the ladder dance. I'll blog about it in my next post.

 

My Car

Yesterday Mom took me out for a spin in my new car. After watching Mom back her car out of the driveway, looking straight forward, I thought I'd give it a try. I think I did better than she did because I didn't hit my Dad's car on my way out.

Time to pull my own weight

So I'm turning one. Yep, in 9 days I'll be hitting my first biggie. I'm pretty stoked. But my Mom and Dad said it's high time I start I start pulling my own blogging weight. Before you know it they'll have me out walking the dogs and being a day trader to help bring home the bacon! Here's what's new with me.

I can clap, I'm pretty good at it.
I can give five.
Walking around from thing to thing really ain't no thang for me.
If I have something to say I'll say it like: Hi, Bye, Hee (here), Daddy and Momma
Mom took me to my first swim lesson, didn't love it.
My parents gave me a pretty sweet car for my first birthday, I wonder what I'll get when I'm 16.
Saturday Mom is taking me to my first Little Gym class which reminds me...
I'm learning how to flex my muscles.
I sent my parent's on a vacation to California. I just needed a break. I think they had a great time.
Who ever decided to put the dog's water dish on the floor was brilliant, can't get enough of splashing in it or dumping it all over the floor.
Diapers are so 6 months ago. Honestly, me and diapers have a love hate relationship.
Same with car seats. Pretty much anything that keeps me from moving everywhere bums. me. out.

Anyway. One is Fun.

Fig (Dad's funny little nickname for me. He loves it so I'm ok with it)