Secret Santa Toy Drive for Foster Kids Lights the Way for a Wonderful Holiday
Annual Drive Asks for Donations of New Unwrapped Toys and Gifts for Area Foster Children
For Immediate Release
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SACRAMENTO– November 1, 2011 – You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen, but did you know that for the nearly 60,000 foster children throughout California, the magic of the holiday season might not be so bright as they find themselves away from family and friends. To help fill the holidays with glee and make sure every foster child wakes up Christmas morning with a gift under the tree, Sleep Train is hosting its annual Secret Santa Toy Drive for foster kids.
Starting today, November 1st, and running through December 11th, individuals and businesses are encouraged to embrace the spirit of Santa and bring donations of new, unwrapped gifts to any Sleep Train store throughout the state. Sleep Train’s foster organization partners have even provided a few ideas from their foster children ‘letters to Santa’ to share specific items these kids are wishing for this season. Topping the girls’ lists were Barbie dolls, dollhouses, perfume, hair styling accessories, and gift cards, while boys’ asked for Legos, action heroes, sports equipment, movies, and music players.
“For many foster children, the holidays can be challenging as the reality of their situation becomes more profound,” said Alice Gentry, Community Affairs Manager, River Oak Center for Children. “Receiving a gift like other children on Christmas morning can help to alleviate sad thoughts and feelings, and bring out the joy and magic of the season. We’re thrilled to have support from Sleep Train and the community to help make the holidays a little brighter for foster children.”
To further inspire its community to donate this year, Sleep Train is also hosting its first “Be a Sleep Train Santa” photo contest on Facebook for a chance to win a brand new Amazon Kindle Fire. Participation is easy, just snap a photo while making a gift donation to Sleep Train and upload the photo to the company’s Facebook page. Then get your friends to vote. The photo with the most votes on December 15th, at 11pm will be named the winner of a new Amazon Kindle Fire, and one runner up will receive a set of two Sleep Innovations Memory Foam Pillows.
Donated gifts will be delivered to Sleep Train’s 15 non-profit foster organization partners who will distribute the toys to foster families in time for Santa’s arrival. Cash donations can also be made online for those too busy to shop this year, and the elves at Sleep Train will do the toy shopping for you.