Youth Villages is looking for Holiday Heroes to help provide gifts for over 500 children, families in care
KTVZ
(Update: Adding video)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Youth Villages’ Holiday Heroes campaign is underway, and the nonprofit is looking for more heroes to help make the season special for more than 500 children and young people engaged in services in Portland, Salem and Bend.
Holiday Heroes fulfills wish lists for holiday gifts and winter essentials for youth and families who are working to strengthen and stabilize, as well as young people impacted by foster care, the organization said in a news release this week, which continues below:
Holiday Heroes has been serving Oregon for more than 13 years by connecting corporate and community volunteers to fulfill the holiday wishes of local youth. Each child in services submits a wish list of three gifts they hope to receive, along with clothing sizes, hobbies and other useful information to shop for that child. Heroes are asked to spend $100 for each young person, and the deadline to participate is Dec. 10.
“Youth Villages Oregon cares for hundreds of families and youth through its community-based programs across Portland, Salem and Bend,” said Shauna Lugar, director of development for Youth Villages Oregon. “With the help of the community and individuals, we can provide joy and happiness to children who may have not received anything otherwise.”
Individuals, companies and groups (church, civic, social) can help by either shopping for a child or sibling group’s wish list or making a financial contribution to Holiday Heroes. Everything raised during Holiday Heroes provides gifts to local children during the holidays, while also supporting the basic needs — food, clothing, shelter, beds, etc. — of the young people in LifeSet, a program offering life-changing guidance to youth aging out of foster care.
To sign up, visit our Holiday Heroes website here, and you will receive the requested number of wish lists. The drop-off date for delivering the gifts to Youth Villages is Nov. 1 through Dec. 10 at the Youth Villages offices, located at 5331 South Macadam Ave., Suite 287 in Portland and at 550 NW Franklin Ave., Suite 228 in Bend. Youth Villages will accept donations for Holiday Heroes throughout the month of December to ensure every child who enters care has a holiday they will always remember.
About Youth Villages
Youth Villages is a national leader in mental and behavioral health committed to finding the most effective solutions to help children, families and young adults overcome obstacles and live successfully. Working through direct services, partnerships with other high-performing agencies and advocacy, we collaborate to bring positive change to child welfare, children’s mental health and justice systems. Our 5,000 employees serve more than 47,000 children and young adults in more than 100 locations in 29 states and Washington, D.C. Youth Villages has been recognized by the Harvard Business School and U.S. News & World Report and was identified by The White House as one of the nation’s most promising results-oriented nonprofit organizations. Learn more at youthvillages.org.