(SAN LUIS OBISPO), December 12, 2008— On Thursday, December 11th the Family Care Network held it's annual San Luis Obispo County Christmas Open House, a Christmas celebration for foster and high-needs children, families and the community at the San Luis Obispo Nazarene Church located at 3396 Johnson Avenue.  Through the annual Christmas Open House, the Family Care Network partners with the community to give local children in need a truly magical Christmas celebration. This community-sponsored event is made possible by local businesses and individuals who provided holiday treats and activities for the festivities. With nearly 300 children and families in attendance, over 80 community members volunteered their time at the event and provided child-friendly activities such as crafts, balloon animals, cookie decorating, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a live performance by the Claddaugh School of Irish Dance. What a great way for the community to personally connect and impact a local foster child’s Christmas experience.

Over the last several months, the Family Care Network has been working on mobilizing the community for its annual Sponsor a Child for Christmas gift gathering effort. For this special Christmas campaign, the agency once again partners with the Central Coast community to provide gifts for the over 500 foster and high-needs children, youth and families the agency will serve this December in San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County. For many children in foster care and families struggling to make ends meet, Christmas is a time of uncertainty and hopelessness. But every year the Family Care Network partners with the community to provide those we serve with a unique Christmas celebration, working together to restore hope and create lasting memories. Sponsor a Child for Christmas gifts will be distributed to Family Care Network children, youth and families throughout the month of December.

The Central Coast community has already shown tremendous generosity this year, as many of our clients’ gift requests have been filled! However, the agency is still in need of gift cards to all-purpose stores like Target and Trader Joes, and Central Coast restaurants. These gift cards will be used to meet the needs of local children and families throughout the year as incentives for program completion and to celebrate special occasions like birthdays and graduations. To participate in the Gift Card Drive, simply purchase gift cards of any amount to an all-purpose store or restaurant and deliver it to the Family Care Network at 3765 S. Higuera St., Ste. 100 in San Luis Obispo. By partnering with our agency this Christmas, you can remind hundreds in need that Christmas really is a season of miracles.

For more information on how you can serve local foster and high-needs children and families, please contact the Family Care Network at (805) 781-3535 or visit our website at FCNI.org.

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