It's a Very Merry Teen FOSTER Christmas

The Dream List

2009-12-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

These are the items left that are needed to make these teen foster youth's Christmas morning dreams come true! I will keep an updated list so check back often.

Here is what is still needed to purchase: (Updated as of 12/15/09 @ 4:28PM) AS WE ARE GETTING SO CLOSE, PLEASE CALL ME PRIOR TO PURCHASING :) 801-808-0636

0 - Guitar Hero Handheld Game(@ Target for $11) - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - Model Car/Airplane (Hobby Shop?) - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - Tech Deck Skate Board Sets (Finger Skateboards) - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - Journal (girl) - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - AAA Batteries - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - Makeup Kits ($5 at WalMart) - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - Twilight Books - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - Fable Haven Books - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - Decks of Cards - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - Scarf and Glove - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - Beanies - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - Lotion Kits - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - Boy Pajamas - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - Girl Pajamas - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - $25 Walmart Gift Cards - ALL PURCHASED YAY!
0 - Axe Cologne Sets - ALL PURCHASED YAY!

My brother-in-law, who is a local dentist, is donating toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss for all 34 kids!

Someone else is donating 72 Mrs. Fields prepackaged cookies!

If you have any questions about any of the above listed items let me know!

Ideas for Handheld Games

2009-11-30T14:13:00.000-08:00

The hand held games seem to be harder to find this year especially since Nintendo and other companies have their $200 systems. My friend picked up a cheaper MP3 player in lieu of a hand held game, which I thought was a good idea, so I thought I would list this as an idea along with other hand held games I've seen out there:

At Walmart/Target:
Scrabble - $19.99
Connect 4 - $19.99
Yahtzee - $19.99
Battleship - $19.99
Jewel - $19.99
Solitaire - $19.99javascript:void(0)

I checked out MP3 players and they were in the same price range!

Hope this helps--

Kristin

Black Friday and Christmas Shopping

2009-11-23T07:30:00.001-08:00

As you start your Christmas shopping consider picking up an additional item for a Foster Teen in need. All of the items on the wish list are under $25 and some are as little as $3! I'm hearing about great sales on black friday such as $7 2-piece pajama sets at Walmart, $7 for Twighlight books at Target.

If you are hearing of great sales on items needed please let me know and I'll post it here!

The Where/How/What's of Donating

2009-11-21T09:13:00.000-08:00

I need to receive ALL donations no later than Dec 20th.

If you are planning on donating, please send me an email or comment on this blog (the sooner the better) including your A) Donation, B) Quantity and C)Name, Phone and Email. This will allow me to keep an accurate count of what's needed and what's been given.

You can drop donations off at my house: 4623 Park Manor Dr. (approximately 1320 E.)

If you are donating money to go towards the purchase of these gifts, you can send
a check to the above address. I also have a paypal account: kristinbhodson@gmail.com for credit cards and if you have cash I would suggest bringing it directly to me.

If you want to do something in addition to what's on the donation list that's Great! Just send me an email: kristinbhodson@gmail.com

If you want to continue donating to this wonderful group of kids even AFTER Christmas check with me, there are dozens of ways you can make a daily difference with little time and effort.

I am all over the valley during the week so if coming to my house isn't convenient I can meet you or pick it up somewhere for you. Just let me know :)

Letters From Kids

2009-11-20T18:58:00.000-08:00

"thank you very much for giving us good food and good clothing. All of the kids at the boys group home are very greatful for everything you guys do for us. oh and thank you for taking us to the christmas store for clothing and toys and games. All of you guys do so much for us at the group home and we are thankful. it's so nice to see that people care for us that made mistake in our lives or had abusive parents and i think it is great that all of you want to help us succeed in life. once again thank you for everything. and i hope you keep helping out with our problems and keep up the good work. i hope you all have a merry christmas and thank you for everything you do."

"dear volunteers, i really appreciate all the work and time y'all put into your activities for the Boys & Girls Group home I'm not sure about the others but i really do like people who care about teens like us and actually take time out of your daily lives to come do fun activities with us. most others would be just like 'well they got themselves in there, they need to do their time...' while some of us are just waiting for another placement. anyways we thank you for all the time and fun we get to have with you guys."

"we really like going places and doing fun things while we're in here because of our mistakes in or because of abusive parents and i for one really love going places that are fun and stuff when we are being good and i really appreciate all the hard work you guys do to give us some fun activities and stuff like that. once again i would like to thank you for everything each of you does to make this place a better place for all of us."

Letter to YOU--the Donators

2009-11-19T18:53:00.000-08:00

September 29, 2009

Dear Kristin Hodson and Supporters:

Thank you for your interest in serving the youth at the Salt Lake County Divi-
sion 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 emer-
gency 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 appreci-
ated 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 volun-
teer 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 I tchampo@slco.org