Joint community effort ensures foster kids have great Christmas

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and the Community Benefit Committee have teamed up to provide a quality Christmas for children in the foster system.

“So many times, these kids kind of get lost in the system of rewarding. They’ve got chaos going around all the time, not being placed in their forever home. So we wanted to give back in that way where we take their mind off of their situation for just one day, and give them a wonderful Christmas,” said Lt. Rhonda Sanders, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and CBC. “So many times people say, ‘Well, what should I get?’ Gift cards are great for our older children. We have kids who are in foster care and are 18 years old. What do you get an 18-year-old for Christmas? Duffle bags. These children do, they move. They don’t have luggage, some of them.”

Andrea Sanders is the Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services.

She said people don’t have to wait until Christmas to help children in foster care.

“Another thing the community could do that would be really valuable all year long is to support foster families and wrap around them. As a community, really commit to supporting the children through supporting the families that help them and also the biological families that may be struggling to get you know some needs taken care of so that they can get their children back.

Rhonda Sanders reminds families in need.

“We’re not trying to give handouts. We’re just tryna give you a hand up,” said Sanders.

You can give via cash app or drop off gifts directly at the sheriff’s office or any BankFirst in Columbus.

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