Redwood Children’s Services Inc. would like to thank our community for the generous outpouring of support this past holiday season.

With more than 100 children and youth in our care throughout Mendocino, Lake and Sonoma counties we had a daunting task of making the holidays special for each and every one of our kids.

With your support we were able to give to each and every child and youth at least one specific gift they had asked for.

This may not seem such a big deal to most families but for our kids in care it shows that someone took the time and energy to get what they asked for. It showed them how much they matter and how much people care for them.

Our kids felt special. This is what we strive for at Redwood. Normalcy is difficult to obtain in foster care but with the help of our dedicated foster parents, staff and you these kids were able to experience the “normal” feeling that someone cares about them even if things in their life may be in turmoil.

The holiday season is a time filled with tradition. The gathering of family, the sharing of gifts and the expression of love are important parts of a child and youth’s life.

Thank you for making it possible for our children and youth to experience it. They were able to experience something as normal as tearing open beautifully wrapped boxes. Small things matter and these small things have made all the difference.

In addition to supporting our children and youth in care we were able to give to eight families accessing our services a holiday meal and gifts. These are families that didn’t ask for help but were identified as the most in need of our clients. To have a real holiday meal and gifts that the parents couldn’t otherwise afford meant the world to these families.

Our youth resource centers were open Christmas morning to welcome in community youth. These are teens and young adults that may otherwise have no family to celebrate with. The dedication of our staff to include these youth is a true testament to the values of Redwood.

Our donors have come from local businesses, church groups, former foster youth, staff, service clubs, young and old.

This is a great example of “it takes a village to raise a child.” Without your support we couldn’t have reached so many children, youth and families.

We are humbled by your generosity, time and commitment to our community. Redwood wishes each and every one great love and fulfillment to you and yours.

“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” – Steve Maraboli, “Life, the Truth, and Being Free”

Camille Schraeder is executive director and Willow Anderson is communications officer for Redwood Children’s Services Inc., based in Ukiah, Calif.