A Christmas miracle for local foster children

The holidays can be a difficult time for those without their families, and kids within protective services, often referred to as foster children, know this all too well. Due to unfortunate circumstances—many of which are out of their control—these children are no longer under the care of their original caregiver and have been placed in the home of generous family. However, even with loving families caring for them during the season, this time of year can still be hard. People like Jan Crosby and Staci Wheeler work to help these children through these difficulties.

On December 5, a Foster Care Christmas Party took place at Church in the Park in Perry. Created by many working hands, on an annual basis, this event provides a little bit of holiday cheer to many foster children and their guardians by giving them a chance to all be together as one large community and thrive within each other’s company.

Jan Crosby is a foster parent who has been putting together the Foster Care Christmas Party since 2009. She works hard with businesses in middle Georgia, friends of hers such as Stephanie Vinson, and other foster parents to form this party and make it special for the kids, “because [they] deserve it,” Crosby says. These individuals and corporations work annually to make sure that each child receives gifts, that there is good food to eat and everyone enjoys themselves.

One business that took part in this year’s party, and has been doing so for seven years now, is LongHorn Steakhouse, located at 100 Hampton Court in Perry. Staci Wheeler, the restaurant’s service manager, along with her general manager, Austin Stone, have provided these foster parents and children with hot food for over half a decade. Not only do they prepare the meals, but they also transport and serve the food as well. The staff of this restaurant even comes together every year to donate gifts for the event. This year, LongHorn received a list of 80 children, and after working together with the staff of Trans Artic, another local business, they made sure that each child on that list received a gift.

Church in the Park, a local nondenominational ministry, also provided gifts for the kids, as well as their venue for use. They made sure that it was decorated and set up with games and toys.

“Most of this is given by the heart,” Crosby stated.

Not only are these children taken care of during this event, but also Crosby is careful to shine a light on the parents for their hard work and generosity by putting together a raffle. These parents receive prizes that have also been donated by businesses in Houston County. “We do a foster parent raffle because I feel like the parents need to be loved on too,” Crosby added.

Other businesses that took part in donating children’s gifts as well as parent raffle items were: The Vine Boutique at 1281 South Houston Lake Road in Warner Robins, Homegrown Yoga at 150 South Houston Lake Road in Warner Robins, Hazard On The Green at 901 Carroll Street in Perry and many more.

Crosby went on to say, “We had a great time, and I think the kids were very happy.”

This Christmas party takes place yearly and could always use more help in the way of donations. Those who wish to help in any way are asked to contact Jan Crosby at Jancrosby59@gmail.com. Furthermore, if there is interest in taking an active role in child protective services, please go to dfcs.georgia.gov.

HHJ News