Nonprofit Spotlight
By Sonja Forrester
Imagine you are a child, ripped from your home or rescued from an abusive or neglectful environment. Either way there is a lot of confusion. Without the ability to process the situation or fully comprehend the gravity of what is happening, that you have to leave all the things you love behind, you could lose hope. Thankfully, there is a group of dedicated people coming to the aide of these children and the foster families taking them into their homes. Least of These Gaston, a 501©(3) organization, assists families nurturing children in foster care by providing many areas of need and support. From clothing, gift cards for food, toiletries and scholarships for extracurricular activities, they are helping kids and families here in Gaston County.
People like you, Dear Reader, are sometimes at a loss, thinking you may not be able help a child in foster care. But you can! You don’t have to open your door…just your heart! There are many ways you can assist foster care families by volunteering or making donations. You can help lift a child to a place that enables him/her to learn and grow into a good, community-minded individual…or you can do nothing and have to support a lost soul.
Least of These Gaston collaborates with Hope 4 Gaston and The Shelter of Gaston County to throw the 12 Hours of Christmas event, providing Christmas for children in foster care. This event is extended to families seeking assistance through Hope 4 Gaston and The Shelter. This is your opportunity to make a joyful impact in the life of a child. Over 150 children and 75 families received Christmas gifts last year through this program. What makes Least of These Gaston’s event special are the sponsors who purchase an entire “wish list” for a child, not just one gift. The cost of a fulfilled wish list is $100 – $125. The Deadline to sponsor a child is November 10th.
This year the number of children in foster care has increased and Least of These Gaston anticipates serving 250 children, so this growing event will be moved to New Hope Baptist Church for a big celebration on December 10th from 8am – 8pm.
We urge you to take this opportunity to show your children how to foster a sense of community and do a little more for a child who has a lot less. Sponsor a foster care family by contacting Least of These Gaston to request a “wish list” for a child. Make your day better by making a child’s Christmas brighter. Show these kids the reason for the season!
www.leastofthesegaston.org 2020 Remount Road, Suite G100, Gastonia, NC 28054 704-215-4344 (office) 704-747-7772 (mobile)
If you or someone you know are interested in sponsoring a local, Gaston County, nonprofit editorial in our magazine, call 704-864-4090 ext. 1111. All organizations are tax deductible 501©(3).
