LIONS clubs have helped ac.care share gratitude to foster carers on behalf of the community for the remarkable contribution they make to supporting young lives.
When COVID-19 concerns prevented Christmas events being held to bring carers, children and ac.care staff together to mark the end of the year, Lions clubs answered the call for donation of their iconic Christmas cakes to provide to carers.
These were distributed to carers by the ac.care staff who support them throughout the year, along with gifts for children in their homes.
More than 130 Christmas cakes were donated as part of a joint contribution in the Limestone Coast from the Lions Club of Blue Lake City Lioness, Lions Club of Mount Gambier and Lions Club of Mount Gambier City.
“These donations were a wonderful gesture from Lions clubs to help our foster care teams share their gratitude on behalf of the community to thank carers for the vital support they provide to children,” ac.care foster care manager Dani Atkinson said.
The support allowed for ac.care to distribute cakes to all carers, together with toys donated from various appeals, including a wishing tree hosted by the Mount Gambier and District Community Bank, donations from national charity Good 360, which diverts surplus goods from retailers to charities, and other contributors.
“The support our foster carers provide by opening their hearts and homes to vulnerable country children is vital to keep them safe, supported and allow young people to grow, learn and thrive,” Ms Atkinson said.
“We cannot thank them enough for the remarkable commitment they make by welcoming some of the most vulnerable children in our communities into their families and lives and it is inspiring to see the relationships that form, supporting foster children, but also bringing extra meaning and purpose into the lives of many carers.”
Sadly, Ms Atkinson said more foster carers were urgently needed to join the agency’s network of long-term, short-term, emergency and respite carers to help support an increasing number of young people in need of safe homes and positive relationships.
