WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA

 PROGRAM FAQ

Who qualifies for this program?
Anyone who is currently in the child welfare system as a foster child can apply to get sponsored. This includes relative and non-relative foster care placements. Permanent guardianship is not included at this time.

Can children adopted from foster care apply to get sponsored?
At this time, we are not sponsoring children that have been adopted from foster care.

What can we expect our foster child to receive from this?
We do our absolute best to insure that every kid gets some basics like an outfit, pair of shoes, socks, undies and pajamas. We also ask each sponsor to get a couple of their wishlist items and then a few additional smaller items.

Are there limits to what my foster child can ask for?
We allow your foster child to ask for 3 top wish list items with $$ limits on each one. Their top wish list item has to be $150 or less, and the other 2 items need to be $50 or less. We no longer allow requests for the following items: gaming systems, trampolines or other heavy outdoor equipment, theme park tickets or memberships, gift cards, nugget couches, etc.

Can someone deliver the gifts to our home?
While we would love to do a Santa drop, we simply do not have the manpower to pull that off.

Can someone else pick up our gifts at the pick up event?
Each family is responsible for picking up their own gifts at the pick up event and are not allowed to have someone else pick them up - this includes case managers, licensing specialists, other family members, etc. There will be absolutely ZERO exceptions on this and we will turn you away.

If we cannot make the pick up date, can another time be arranged?
We would love to be able to accommodate everyone’s schedules, but we are unable to offer appointments other than the designated pick up date. We are at the mercy of our donors and things often arrive as late as the day of the pick up event and we like to respect the personal lives of our team and volunteers so we are not able to arrange for a date after the pick up event. There will be absolutely ZERO exceptions on this. If you are not able to pick up on the designated date, please do not sign up to have your foster child sponsored.

Can I pick up our items after the pick up event?
Unfortunately no, all items that are not picked up at the pick up event will be distributed to other children or donated to local foster closets. We like to respect the personal lives of our team and volunteers so we are not able to arrange for a date after the pick up event. There will be absolutely ZERO exceptions on this. If you are not able to pick up on the designated date, please do not sign up to have your foster child sponsored.

Do I need to bring anything verification with me?
Yes! We require all foster parents to bring a hard copy of their current custody letters for each child (all placements are verified with case managers prior to being matched with a sponsor) and a government photo ID. We are not able to give the gifts the night of the pick up if these are not provided. There will be absolutely ZERO exceptions on this.