Chilton County DHR has begun its annual Christmas Wishes project for foster children.

It was made official after Santa stopped by the DHR building in Clanton and checked the list to make sure everything was in order.

According to DHR director Marilyn Colson, the agency is seeking to sponsor 125 foster children this year.

“We want to make Christmas as special and magical for our foster children as it is for children who will be able to spend the holiday with their own families,” Colson said.

According to a press release, the state of Alabama does provide for the essential living needs of these children, which means that the foster parents are offering their time and resources.

Community support and donations is the primary way to provide for special events, such as Christmas and to fulfill the needs of the children.

The Chilton County community has always come through to overwhelmingly support this effort, Colson said.

Social workers have already gotten wish lists from each child, and the lists will be matched with those in the community who would like to sponsor a specific child’s wishes.

Those who would like to participate in the Christmas Wishes project can do so in several ways:

• Sponsor the wishes of a specific child
• Provide gift cards to popular stores – this is especially good for teens.  There are 43 teens currently in foster care.
• Make a financial donation to the Foster Children’s Fund and DHR can shop for you.

To sponsor a child, call DHR at (205) 280-2000 or mail Marilyn.Colson2@dhr.alabama.gov.

To mail a contribution, make it payable to the Foster Children’s Fund at DHR P.O. Box 1699, Clanton, AL 35046 or bring to the agency on Airport Road next to the National Guard Armory.