On any given day there are an average of 300 children in foster care in Clarke and Oconee Counties
The holidays can be a difficult time for children in foster care. Children will be spending Christmas without their biological parents, relatives and sometimes siblings.
Our goal is to have enough dedicated sponsors to fulfill the Christmas Wish Lists of every child in Foster Care in Clarke and Oconee Counties.
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This Project is organized and run directly by The Department of Family and Children Services in Clarke and Oconee Counties.
FOSTER CARE
is a temporary living situation for children whose parents are unable, unwilling, or unfit to care for them and whose need for care has come to the attention of child welfare agency staff. It is meant to be a temporary out-of-home care, though the length of time children spend in care can vary drastically. Many children in foster care live in a family setting, such as with a relative, foster parents, or pre-adoptive parents.
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE INCREASED 2.3% THIS YEAR TO 437,465—A FIGURE THAT HAS RISEN EVERY YEAR SINCE 2012.
- THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION, 2016
Our Process
We depend on community sponsors each year to provide gifts for our children in foster care. Sponsors can be individuals, families, groups of friends, coworkers, organizations, churches, corporations, businesses, and anyone else who is interested.
1) Each of our children will turn in a "Wish List" that will include their age, gender, clothing/shoe sizes and desired gifts.
2) Each child's list will be matched with and sent to a sponsor. Your list(s) will be sent to you via email. Sponsors are asked to purchase what they are able to, or other similar items, from the child's Wish List.
3) Sponsors will shop for the gifts, and will drop them off at The Clarke County DFCS office during the designated drop off dates in late November/early December.
4) Children will receive their gifts on Christmas morning wherever they are living at the time.
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5) Due to privacy laws, we cannot share photos or further information of children you may be sponsoring.
If you do not feel you can support an entire child's Wish List, we will also accept individually donated gifts.
ITEms most needed
- Giftcards
- Laptops
- Bikes & Helmets
- Tablets
- TVs
- Game Systems
- Wireless Headphones
- Wireless Speakers
- Carseats
- Toys & items for Infants
We graciously ask that all donated items are in new condition and unwrapped.
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Gift wrapping supplies may be provided if desired.
Searh our Amazon Wish List and donate individual gifts here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/RXCINU4LS78J?ref_=wl_share
Gift Drop Off
Please arrange to drop off your gifts to the Clarke County DFCS office during one of the below dates & times:
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Dates & Times:
Mon Nov 30th 4:00PM-7:00PM
Thurs Dec 3rd 4:00PM-7:00 PM
Fri Dec 4th 4:00PM-7:00PM
Sat Dec 5th 1:00AM-6:00PM
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Directions: We are located at 284 North Ave, Athens, GA 30601.
Once reaching the DFCS office: Go past the public entrance and parking lot that can be seen from the road. Continue on Bray Street and turn left in to the 2nd parking lot. This parking lot will be larger and there is a metal fence on your left. If you pass Little Angels Daycare you have gone too far. Advantage Behavioral Health is on your right. Once you are in the parking lot turn left into the first section. You will see outside tables. Continue to the 2nd door, this one is metal and doesn't have windows. You will see a sign for the DFCS Angel Project letting you know you are in the right place.
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*This door will only be monitored during the designated times below. Please contact Audrey Rodriguez at 706-825-8924 or audrey.rodriguez@dhs.ga.gov (email is best) if you need to schedule a different drop off time and we will do our best to accommodate you.
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Things that are Helpful to your Christmas Elves:
- Have all gifts clearly marked with the Child's first name and Case Manager. You can attach the Wish List to your gifts or attach tags.
- Please do not wrap your gifts. Gift wrapping supplies may be provided along with the gifts.