A Thief Amongst Us

This is really supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but sometimes it can be a struggle!  Especially when it affects children and on top of that children that are in foster care.  Yes, foster parents do get a monthly reimbursement, the children's medical needs are met and if they are in care long term and emancipate from the foster care system, their college is taken care of.  BUT, they are children that are not in their own home or with their own family for whatever the reason.  It just isn't the same and they are truly the victims. 

Each year many of the child welfare boards across our great state, send letters to individuals and businesses in the community seeking monetary donations to help with the Christmas expense.  This year in Longview, the coordinator of our Christmas shopping took advantage of the many Black Friday shopping deals.  And more recently a thief (or thieves), took advantage of her hard work.  Close to $20,000 worth of merchandise was stolen from a donated storage facility. 

The good news is, these kids will probably never know their original gifts were taken and the community, and by this I mean:  Longview, San Antonio, Houston, Beaumont, Nacogdoches, Athens, Tyler, Shreveport and California (I'm sure this isn't all of the generous cities), have come through BIG time!!  Not to mention our many anonymous donors!  It has truly been a blessing to see the anger stemmed from this turn into more blessings!  It has been a very emotionally and physically draining week, but we are so blessed!! 

We all know the "true meaning" of Christmas, and this week I have seen first hand so many individuals show this true meaning by their kind acts and prayers.  The children from Gregg county will be taken care of!!