Changing Their Stories: Holiday Edition 2019
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Making a
Difference - Holiday Wishes for Teens
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The Holidays can be – and should be – a magical time for children of all ages, but for many, it is not. In fact, the holidays are especially hard for teens in foster care.
For many of the teens we serve the holidays are not full of memories of baking cookies, decorating the tree, or opening presents, but a reminder of the things they don't have.
Teens are often overlooked during the Holiday season and we need
YOU
to help give them holiday cheer! This year, we want to serve 100 teens and are looking specifically for $25 gift cards, headphones, jewelry, footballs, basketballs, and monetary donations.
We have several ways
you
can spread holiday joy:
- Shop our Amazon Wishlist by clicking here. Choose your gifts (all under $25), make your purchase, and your donation will be shipped directly to us.
- Make a donation on Facebook by clicking here to make a gift through our Facebook fundraiser in support of #GivingTuesday. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving when communities come together to support the causes they care about. All gifts made on Facebook on Tuesday, December 3, will be matched by Facebook.
- Make an end of year gift by clicking here to make a gift online.
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Stories that Warmed Our 💗
's this Year
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Miami HEAT Game
Last Spring, we had the pleasure of taking a group of our kids to see a Miami HEAT Game. Thanks to a special partnership with the Miami Heat, we had a VIP behind-the-scenes tour of the arena, up close and personal viewing of the players practicing before the game, and participated in the High Five Club. A highlight from the night is when Bam Adebayo spoke for a few minutes to one of the kids during the High Five Club. This was truly an incredible and memorable night.
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8th Grade Prom
Like many of the children we serve, Marissa has had a difficult childhood. She’s been let down on many occasions by people who were supposed to love and protect her, causing her to become very guarded. Marissa has been making great strides and really wanted to attend her 8th grade prom. Her appointed Guardian ad Litem saw this as a great opportunity to provide some normalcy for Marissa. Voices supported Marissa with a prom dress, shoes, and tickets. Marissa was able to feel like the “belle of the ball” and enjoyed a night she will forever remember.
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Walt Disney World 2019
One of our most favorite days from this past year was our Dream BIG Day: Walt Disney World trip. Because of a generous grant we received, we got to visit The Happiest Place on Earth. This day was truly a magical experience for the kids. The joy and excitement this day brought them is indescribable. There were so many hugs, smiles, and laughter throughout the day.
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The Luke Hoyer Athletic Fund
This special fund was created in the memory of Luke Thomas Hoyer, who was tragically killed in the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018. Luke was a fan of all sports, especially basketball and football. This fund supports our children by providing them with the opportunity to participate in a sport or sport-related activity and allows Luke's sweet, giving spirit to live on.
The Fund recently helped Mark, a 12 year old boy, who really wanted to play football. Mark has been is the foster care system for the past three years. Mark is a sweet, loving kid, but is extremely shy and has a hard time socializing with other kids his age. Mark participated in football during this past season and has really come out of his shell. He has gained self confidence and a sense of belonging; he made many new friends, and has learned how to have fun.
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Thank You for Making a
Difference
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8th Annual Soaring for Children
On November 21st, with over 200 of our closest friends, we celebrated our 8th annual Soaring for Children Cocktail Reception at The Venue. With this year’s theme, ‘Enchanted—An Evening of Reflections’, our sold-out event had one goal in mind—to raise money for foster care children in Broward County. We also had the privilege of honoring Pam Tindall, veteran Guardian ad Litem, for her unwavering dedication to our community's most vulnerable youth. Thank
YOU
to all that attended, volunteered, supported, sponsored, or donated.
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Thanksgiving Day Partnerships
This Thanksgiving there was so much to be thankful for, but especially because 250 children received food baskets to help make the holiday a feast of memories. Many abused, neglected, and abandoned children are placed with low-income relatives who find it difficult to give the children everything they need. Large boxes of holiday food help these families celebrate the holidays and keep their spirits bright. A
BIG
thank you to Church by the Glades and the Broward County Courthouse for all that you do for us each and every year!
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Thanksgiving Teddy
A
HUGE
thank you to Jacqueline, a new Guardian ad Litem, who hosted a new Teddy Bear donation drive for her birthday. She bought over 100 brand new Teddy Bears that were given out with our Thanksgiving Day boxes. This small comfort makes a big difference in the life of a foster child, helping each child feel cared for, loved, and brings smiles to the child's face.
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Girls Scouts Partnership
Many thanks to Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida for hosting a toy drive during Movie Mania. Hundreds of toys were collected on November 26 from various Girl Scout troops in the area. Thank
YOU
for your generosity and friendship!
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Shop for a Cause
Wednesday, December 4
4:00-8:00 p.m.
Las Olas
We invite you to join us and enjoy an evening at Lilly Pulitzer on Las Olas. 10% of the proceeds benefit Voices for Children.
Sips and lite bites will be served!
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Wine Bingo
Wednesday, December 4
8:00-10:00 p.m.
3312 NE 32nd St on Galt Ocean Mile
Feeling lucky?!? Join us at Vino’s Wine Bar to play Wine Bingo. $1 per card and prizes each round, all to benefit Voices for Children.
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