Foster kids need help at Christmas

To the Editor:

Once more, it is that time of the year. Along with the holidays, our heart strings are pulled in many directions by caring people that are out among us soliciting donations of food, toys, clothing and money for their chosen cause. My goal here is to ask for your focus on one more. Our county currently has more than 50 kids ranging from new born to 21 years old that are in the custody of protective services and in the care of foster care and other state residences. They are often lost in all of the holiday drives because these children are not listed as anyone's dependent or not commonly signed up for any specific church or other non-profit organization support function. These young members of our community have often suffered both physically and mentally because of circumstances that they have no control over at all. Most have never really known the joy of Christmas, birthdays, knowing God or the warmth of a solid family home. Their lives has been one of violence, abuse, drug and alcohol use, filth, hunger, cold, illness and other trauma that they have learned to accept as a way of life. For most, the best that they have ever had it was the day that DHS removed them from their home and placed them into state custody. Foster parents are among our recognized local hero. They open their hearts and arms and bring these babies into their homes. They give them a warm and loving environment, see that they get an education and take care of their medical needs. The state provided a very small monthly check to help offset the expenses, but this never covers the entire cost associated with their daily needs. The love and caring that the foster parent provided is priceless.

Now, As with all the others that are knocking on your door this year, my wife Patty and I are requesting for the 20th straight year that you save back a little bit of your heart felt giving to help our foster parents and DHS assure that these kids will receive a joyful and loving Christmas this year. For many, this may be the first ever. The wonderful team at all Farmer's Bank locations here in Mississippi County are collecting toys and cash donations that will be 100% passed on to the foster parents and foster children in our county. These are our kids, our citizens and our future employees, homemakers, moms and dads and business owners. If you cannot help through a donation, please keep each of them in your prayers. They need us now, we will need them in years to come. If you cannot get your donation to one of the Farmer's locations, please call Danny or Patty Harris

at 623-3700 or 776-0968 and we will assist you in any way. You can also drop anything by 1031 West Walnut if you cannot get to a Farmer's Bank location. Thank you in advance for all that you each do for the kids and our county foster parents.

YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION:

Danny & Patty Harris

Blytheville, Arkansas