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Local church collects toys for children in care for 32 years -- volunteer still responding to needIt’s funny what changes a life. For Candy Fender, it was a chance encounter with a little boy, a waiting-room Christmas tree and a cold smack of reality.
Fender has been leading the holiday toy drive at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, in Fort Pierce, for 32 years. And it started in a waiting room at the old Health and Rehabilitative Services office.
“I went to the main office to deliver toys we had collected that first year, but first I had to wait a few minutes for a volunteer to help me,” Fender said. “As I sat in the lobby, a young family was also waiting and I noticed their children were in awe of the Christmas tree.”
Fender asked the children if they had decorated a tree at their house. One of the children – a young boy -- said they had never had their own tree.
“I was mortified,” Fender said. “It never occurred to me that someone may not have a tree.”
The family had their first Christmas tree that winter, thanks to Fender and her husband. She said the experience made such an impact on her life, that the annual gift drive became her passion.
Fender has led the drive every year since, collecting toys for 70-100 children annually in the local child-welfare system. Over the years, the name of the organization has changed – from HRS to Department of Children and Families, and finally – after the state privatized child-welfare services – to United for Families.
St. Andrew’s total gift count is about 9,600, or three gifts for every child on the lists of names the church has taken over the years.
If you belong to a group interested in collecting toys for children in the child-welfare system, please call Lea Tate at 398-2920 Ext. 292.
Participating businesses are given a list of between 15-25 names and coordinate their own gift drive. United for Families then schedules a time to collect the gifts. |
United for Families honored its volunteers during a recent appreciation picnic at Indian Riverside Park, in Jensen Beach. Emily Kaiser was awarded the United for Families Student Volunteer of the Year for contributing the most hours to the organization.
Volunteer Coordinator Linda Smith coaches her volunteers through the many games and activities offered during the picnic. Here, she helps Melinda and Amanda Abrego through a game of toss.
Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith also joined the festivities.
Recently elected Martin County Commissioner Ed Ciampi, member of the United for Families Board of Directors, tries his luck at a game of bean-bag toss.
United for Families also celebrated its employee volunteers, who dedicate many hours throughout the year in support of United for Families' many programs and outreach activities. Riverside National Bank donated the food and hosted the event.
United for Families staff enjoy the hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and goodies offered at the staff volunteer celebration despite the rainy day.
Volunteer Phil Smith holds up a corner of the tent to prevent the wind from carrying it away.
Lisa Engel, a branch manager for Riverside National Bank, and Volunteer Coordiantor Linda Smith pose for a picture with Riverside's mascot, Hugs.
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United for Families News
- Final week to buy tickets for health fair
Tickets to Health for Life are available online at www.unitedforfamilies.org for $5 and include lunch. The event, a health fair for the mind, body and spirit, is being coordinated to expose child-welfare professionals to resources that might help them with the stresses of their jobs. “Considering the magnitude of the job they are asked to do, events like this – which give case managers the opportunity to learn about the benefits and the importance of self-care, and the options available to them in the local community – is a really great thing,” said Lisa Carter, a former case manager supervisor in St. Lucie County.
- United for Families receives accreditation
United for Families is proud to announce that it is now certified by the prestigious Council on Accreditation. The certification ensures that United for Families adheres strictly to accepted standards in ethics, accounting and child-welfare practices. United for Families staff worked for more than a year to earn the accreditation and now will move into the maintenance phase of accreditation.
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Caregiver News
- Book fair to raise money and books for literacy program
United for Families will host its Second Annual Barnes and Noble Holiday Book Fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 7, at Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Jensen Beach. Parents are invited to bring their children to the store for a day of activities that include cookie decorating, interactive story-telling and caroling. And while the children are busy, parents can attend scheduled bow-tying workshops.
- Caregiver Support Program available
The Caregiver Support Program is available to all United for Families caregivers, including foster parents, as well as relative and non-relative caregivers. The program provides mentors, funding for special needs and peer networking. Meetings are held monthly. For more information, please call Jill Poole at 398-2920.
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Community News
- Community group awards needed funds for Shoes that Fit
The Royal Palms of St. Lucie County will present a $4,000 check to United for Families Dec. 4 for the Shoes that Fit program, which provides shoe gift cards to children in the child-welfare system twice a year.
- United for Families visible during the holidays
United for Families will be active in the community this holiday season, beginning immediately with the Tykes and Teens Festival of Trees, on display at the Treasure Coast Mall through Dec. 6. United for Families also will be visible Dec. 5 during the Soroptimist International of Stuart Christmas Parade. United for Families' float will feature children dressed to represent the many heritages and cultures served by United for Families.
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