Last month more than 25 NVFS foster and adoptive families enjoyed the 2014 foster care holiday party at the Vienna Baptist Church, courtesy of NVFS and their donors. The party has been a tradition with NVFS for the past 13 years and one that children and adults alike look forward to all year.
The families were treated to lunch with live music and a visit from Santa. The children received gifts from Santa (donated by employees from SRA) and each had a chance to tell Santa their wish list and have their photo taken to commemorate the occasion. Families also had the opportunity to win a number of door prizes ranging from dolls and trucks to Redskins tickets. Fifteen volunteers helped serve food, hand out presents, and assist families with choosing gently-used clothing items that had been donated.
John Allen, a former NVFS board member and long-time volunteer, makes helping out at the party a family affair each year. John, his wife Melissa, and their daughters Sarah, Katherine and Amanda, look forward to being part of this annual event. “It really starts the Christmas season for our family. Even though my daughter is away at college she sets this date aside so she can be here,” said Allen. “For us being here and helping others is what the season is all about.”
Dana Bowie is a mother of six children, ages 23 to 15 months. She and her husband have a lengthy history as caring foster and adoptive parents. Their family currently includes biological, foster and adoptive children. Her children dressed in their holiday finest ran around with the other kids, laughing, smiling and enjoying their visit with Santa. Dana reflected on their time as foster parents, saying: “We have had such an awesome experience with NVFS. We have been foster parents in other areas and we have not had the kind of support that we get from NVFS. They are so available and give us resources we need to be the best parents we can be. Parties like this bring families together to celebrate.”
–by Trish Moreis-Stiles, NVFS Volunteer