Gifts That Foster Hope

What do you get when you mix the Apparitions Motorcycle Club with Green County Human Services? There no doubt are numerous answers to the question. The correct answer is a hand up to helping out foster home families in Green County. And you can take part in this very worthy cause.
Since 1997, the Apparitions have been holding a party for Green County children in foster care. For a number of years the club held a Christmas roller skating party and pizza party for the children and families involved in foster care in Green County. At this event, each child in the program received a nice Christmas gift from the club. At any time, Green County has an average of 22 children in foster care.
At one point the Apparitions and Green County Social Services formed a partnership that has lasted for a number of years. One of the club members stated, “at first we purchased a gift for each child. Then Katlyn Graebner, the Foster Care Coordinator, suggested to the Apparitions that they purchase the gifts, and let the children pick out which gift they would like for Christmas.” And this has worked well since its inception.
In addition to gifts for the children, the club also purchases and accepts donations of needed household items to make life a bit easier for those in Green County who have less. Each fall, the club holds two Fill The Trailer collections at Walmart in Monroe. This year they held their two donation days on Saturday, October 12th, and October 26th. Both events had good results with the donations received.
This year the group is looking for the following items: games, books and toys for school age kids (Legos, art supplies, kid’s tablets, etc.), gift cards for older kids of all ages, bed sheets, mattress protectors, cleaning supplies, Clorox Wipes, garbage bags, etc., and games for families to play together. Much of this is an ongoing need.
In addition to the collections at Walmart, the club is sponsoring a Gifts That Foster Hope fundraising gathering open to the public this Saturday, November 9, at their club house located at N6371 Holstein Prairie Road, Monticello, beginning at 5:00 p.m. and running until 9:00 p.m.
A cash bar and food will be available. Admission is $10 per person or a gift valued at $10. The big event of the night will be the silent auction, which brings in many dollars. Entertainment will feature Zack’s DJ Service, and Garthwaite Auction and Realty Service. The club will be accepting gifts or donations at the event, which promises to be a great way to give the children of Green County a Christmas they will remember because of the public’s generosity to a good cause.
The money raised will also go toward transportation for foster children to get to and from appointments and interactions with the parents as well as countless school expenses such as field trips, school supplies, sports gear and so much more. Respite for our families in Green County, helping provide families with a much needed break. Respite can help prevent removal of a child, or help maintain a placement, or to help foster parents practice self-care. Helping our youth that age out of foster care at age 18 to set up to live independently. Holding annual appreciation picnics and hosting a Foster Care Holiday party for our foster families.
If you want to help out, but are unable to attend you can contact Katlyn Graebner at kgraebner@gchsd.org or call (608) 328-9337, or contact Todd Tulls at (608) 558-0287, or tully421@gmail.com, or send a check made out to Gifts That Foster Hope, (on the memo or envelope please put GCHSD) N3152 State Road 81, Monroe, WI 53566.
Your contribution to this worthy cause will make someone in Green County’s life a bit better.