Rotary Club of Three Creeks brightens Season for Foster Children

Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Three Creeks recently completed a local service project benefitting 88 foster children and their families in Clark County.

The Rotarians purchased $4,000 worth of gifts for the foster children, wrapped them, and delivered them to a holiday party held at the Vancouver Elks Lodge in Vancouver. The holiday party included Rotarians serving a served a catered meal from Olive Garden, holiday gifts, raffle prizes, and photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch.

The support for foster children came from $2,000 from the Rotary Club’s Foundation, plus a $2,000 matching grant from Rotary District 5100. Rotarians were able to purchase gifts based on their ‘holiday wish list’ requests for children at Target.

Club members then wrapped all the gifts and transported them to the annual holiday party organized by the Community and Family Service Foundation. CFSF is a non-profit organization dedicated for foster parents and the abused and neglected children they serve. The Rotary Club of Three Creeks partnered with the CFSF, Vancouver Elks Club, Hillcrest Nazarene Church and Fort Vancouver Lions Club to support foster children during the holidays.

Sue Simon, Rotary Club of Three Creeks Service Project Director organized the Rotary club’s involvement.

"As a former foster Mom, I can tell you that every little thing the community does for these kiddos helps them feel like they are cared about," Simon said. "They often feel forgotten and left out, but events like this let them feel like they are cared for and allows them the opportunity to be joyous in the moment.

​"To just be happy children who get to run and play and twirl on the dance floor. They got to meet Santa and the Grinch and an elf. The weight of the reality of their situations was lifted for an evening and it was beautiful."