Foster Children's Christmas Party
December 10, 2022
T
his is East Portland Rotary's Signature Service Project. It began 25 years ago when EPR Dave Vernon started it with a small group suggested by DHS. But it grew and grew over the years to where we were hosting it at Memorial Coliseum for 600 Foster Children annually! Dave stayed in charge, and then Brad Magee, and this year we have co-chairpersons in Sandy Sampeer and Melissa Meyers.
his is East Portland Rotary's Signature Service Project. It began 25 years ago when EPR Dave Vernon started it with a small group suggested by DHS. But it grew and grew over the years to where we were hosting it at Memorial Coliseum for 600 Foster Children annually! Dave stayed in charge, and then Brad Magee, and this year we have co-chairpersons in Sandy Sampeer and Melissa Meyers.This year, after the pandemic, we expect around 450, and we have moved it to the DHS Headquarters in NE Portland and Sandy and Melissa have shouted out for lots of help from East Portland Rotarians and other volunteers. If it is anything like past years, there will be much more than just gifts for each of the Foster kids attending. IT WILL BE A REAL BIG PARTY!
The kids can expect first to be plied with food and cookies. Then, there is bound to be Face-painting, a Puppet Show, Balloon twisting, a photo shoot, and several tables of free books donated by the Goodwill. Best of all, there will be an EPR Santa and Mrs. Claus there to meet each child or teenager and give them their special gift.
So, we have posted pictures of the event in the past, and put out a call for volunteer tree decorators, gift shoppers and wrappers, food servers and face-paint artists. Be part of this great service event!
