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With the holiday season in our sights, it’s finally time to start preparing.  Between gift buying, holiday decorating, and setting out cookies for Santa, it’s important to keep in mind those who are not as fortunate.  Many children will be experiencing this holiday season in foster care.  Sadly, some will even enter into care on Christmas morning.  Foster Angels works to help these children remember they are loved and valued by making sure they have their very own gifts to open during the holidays.  Each year, Foster Angels puts smiles on the faces of these precious children only because of the support and generosity from our community.

A small gift just for them can help a child strive in new situations and help them remember they are truly looked after and loved.  The possibilities to show this love is unlimited and completely dependent upon our donors.  With your contribution, we can reach out to more kids than ever before and spread the spirit of goodness that becomes contagious during this time.

Your donation to Foster Angels this winter will help ensure we are able to provide gifts to all the children we serve.  To make a difference in the life of a foster child this holiday season please visit
fosterangelsstx.org/how-to-help/ or simply mail your donation to:

Foster Angels of South Texas Foundation
P.O. Box 18863
Corpus Christi, TX 78480


THANK YOU FOR CARING
 

 
A RECORD BREAKING DAY OF GIVING

In November 2009, nine foundations in the Coastal Bend area created the Day of Giving, a 24-hour online opportunity to donate to local nonprofits.  The Day of Giving brings larger funders together who match individual donations with a certain amount.  This all tallies together and is then distributed to the participating foundations for much needed services.  The total amount matched on the Day of Giving has more than doubled, with the number of nonprofits approaching the same goal; this year, 45 nonprofits participated!    

Since its 2009 inception, the Day of Giving has collected a total of over 7 million dollars and has assisted countless charities in their missions.  This year broke the record set in 2015 by $220,000, with the final amount totaling in at $2,138,788!  The entire event was a fantastic success thanks to the Matching Funders and individual donors combined generosity.  With the event being only one day long, the contributions of the Matching Funders is critical to reaching each year’s goals. 

On December 13th, Foster Angels will receive $48,952.05 at the Day of Giving check presentation!  This success is made possible only through continued support from donors committed to elevating the quality of life for foster children in the Coastal Bend region.  Foster Angels of South Texas greatly appreciates everyone who showed their love and care for others through participating in this amazing Day of Giving! 

 
THANK YOU MATCHING FUNDERS

Coastal Bend Community Foundation
Estill Foundation
Golden Rule Foundation
Paul & Mary Haas Foundation Fund
Buddy Herin Legacy Foundation Fund
LaVerne & Thomas Howell Foundation
Dr. & Mrs. Hugh Kennedy Foundation
John G. & Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation
Las Doñas Donors in honor of Court members
Morris L. Lichtenstein, Jr. Foundation
Larry & Pat McNeil Foundation
Blanche Davis Moore Foundation
Nueces Electric Charities, Inc.
Prichard Family Foundation
Margaret Sue Rust Foundation
Earl C. Sams Foundation
Susser Family Foundation
Trull Foundation
Vogt Foundation
Gil & Dody Weaver Foundation
Lawrence Wood Foundation

BARNES AND NOBLE
GIFT WRAPPING FUNDRAISER
 
 
Would you like to have your gifts wrapped by the festive volunteers at Foster Angels of South Texas?

Barnes and Noble is partnering with Foster Angels to provide gift wrapping in exchange for donations.  Any gift you purchase in the store will be wrapped with care.  Any donation you make will go straight to the children.  Your donation may provide the first present ever received by a child in foster care in our community.  Please stop by to show your support of these deserving children.

Where:  Barnes and Noble, 5129 Blanche Moore Drive, Corpus Christi

When:  Tuesday, December 6th, 9 AM to 4 PM
                  
Saturday, December 10th, 4 PM to 10 PM
              Friday, December 23rd, 9 AM to 4 PM
 
                                               
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

4th Annual J. Ryan Whittington Memorial Golf Tournament
 
On Friday, October 21st, golfers young and old gathered together to participate in the 4th Annual J. Ryan Whittington Memorial Golf Tournament.  This heartwarming tournament was created after Ryan Whittington tragically lost his life at age 25 in an auto accident four years ago.  Ryan was an incredibly charitable person who had a passion for helping children in need.  In addition to his fervor for helping others, Ryan was a notable leader in both academics and sports.  Ryan attended and graduated with multiple degrees and goals of becoming a sports broadcaster on TV.  Whether it was his own team or just spectating another, Ryan was an avid sports fan.  As an athlete, Ryan was very passionate about tennis.  Tennis was Ryan’s game and he proved it winning Districts every year, advancing to the Regional and State finals three years running, and captaining his college team at Texas State University to National Level Tournaments every year. 

Ryan’s passion and life were too wholesome to just let go of, so his parents decided to pay his love forward.  By creating this tournament, the Whittington Family has been able to improve the qualities of life of those in need.  This year, Foster Angels of South Texas was selected to receive a donation from the proceeds of the tournament to help foster children in our community.  A total of 184 players showed up to play and at the end of the day Foster Angels was presented a check for $5000!   

 
The tournament was nothing shy of a complete success this year for everyone involved.  The creators of the tournament decided to throw an extra twist into the final results; instead of awarding 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, the winning teams were given 1st, 8th, and 15th place because 8 was Ryan’s favorite player, Troy Aikman’s number and 15 is their family sports number. 
 
Foster Angels is extremely fortunate to benefit from the generosity of people like the Whittington family.  In addition to them, donors make events like these happen.  This generosity is so necessary to keep making lives comfortable and helping dreams happen. 
 
The J. Ryan Whittington Golf Tournament is a successful example of people serving each other through mutual generosity and love.  Foster Angels thanks the Whittington Family, donors, and everyone else who made this amazing day possible.  You are appreciated greatly. 
 
AQUARIUM FOSTERS MEMORIES
 
Birds, crabs, reptiles and fish!  These are some of the sights and sounds you will encounter first-hand when entering the Texas State Aquarium.  From their creation of the Gulf Coast Zoological and Botanical Society in 1969, all the way up to their 2016 expansions, the folks at the Texas State Aquarium have been committed to engaging people with animals, inspiring appreciation for our seas and support for wildlife conservation.  Recently, the Aquarium and Foster Angels of South Texas teamed up to provide an opportunity for children they won’t forget any time soon!
 

William, Michelle, and Heather (ages 11, 7, and 6, respectively) live with their grandmother and money is tight.  Julia, Alex, Claire, Abbie, Aurora, and Jeff (ages 16, 14, 12, 8, 5, and 3, respectively) live with their aunt who is working hard to save up for a better place for her nieces and nephews.  With money being tight for both families, outings and adventures like the Aquarium can be difficult to do without help.  Graciously, the Texas State Aquarium teamed up with Foster Angels and provided the full VIP treatment for these families free of charge!  This unforgettable VIP experience included a private tour, special seating at the Dolphin Bay Show and admission to Splash Park in addition to full access to the Aquarium’s exciting exhibits and attractions. These are just two examples of families who have benefited from the Aquarium’s generosity with more in the works!

When visiting the Texas State Aquarium, guests can view exhibits showcasing sea life such as the Aquatic Nursery, Dolphin Bay, Flower Gardens, Islands of Steel, Saving Sharks, Tentacles, and Tortuga Cay.  For the less fish-inclined audience, the Aquarium offers a selection of flight bound creatures in the Hawn Wild Flight Theater, Nearshore gallery, and Eagle Pass exhibits to learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of winged animals.  Finally, for those who just want to have fun, the Aquarium offers a variety of interactive exhibits such as Living Shores, facilitating safe, hands-on interaction with urchins and crabs, and Stingray Lagoon, where visitors can touch and feed live stingrays.  In addition to all those exhibits, Aquarium-goers can also view alligators and the highly intelligent otters multiple times a day.

The Texas State Aquarium is a private, not-for-profit organization that receives no city, state or federal funding for its operations. The Aquarium relies on general admissions, memberships, retail sales, event rentals and the generous support from donors to maintain its operations. The Aquarium puts these exhibits on to carry out their vision and mission of educating and inspiring people to care about animals and conservation.  Through providing an opportunity like this to children who wouldn’t otherwise get it, the Texas State Aquarium shows their commitment to their mission statement. 

In addition to showing commitment to their mission, the Aquarium is committed to our mission of enhancing the quality of life for these children as well.  Education and happy memories combine and can create passion for the environment and the planet we live on.  These memories can be a huge factor in the future success of children and are so necessary because of that.  Foster Angels of South Texas is proud to have helped facilitate these opportunities and grateful for the Texas State Aquarium and the donors who made this a reality.   
 


 
Please click here to learn about some of the amazing children currently available for adoption in our community.  The exhibit highlights children who are hard to place because of their age or because they are part of a sibling group.  Maybe you could help a child find their forever home!  
NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH
 
THE HEART GALLERY OF SOUTH TEXAS RAISES AWARENESS DURING NOVEMBER
Throughout the month of November, the Antonio E. Garcia Arts & Education Center will feature 22 portraits of 44 children available for adoption in our community.  This is a part of a continued display for National Adoption Awareness Month called the Heart Gallery of South Texas.  This annual exhibit started in 2005 and has helped many families, such as the Rodriguez family find homes for children in foster care.  The Rodriguez family knew upon seeing the photograph of the four siblings that those were their kids and today they couldn’t imagine living life without them. Click here to watch their touching story.  This year, eleven sets of siblings are featured in the gallery, hoping to be adopted as a family. 

The Heart Gallery will continue at the Garcia Center through the end of the month.  Currently there are 6,388 children in the state of Texas who are available for adoption, 430 of whom are from South Texas.  Frequent meetings occur in the Nueces County area during the month of November regarding foster care and adoption.  For more information, please visit www.adoptchildren.org

Adoption can change the course of a child’s life and is strongly encouraged to anyone considering it.  With support from donors, Foster Angels works to help children awaiting adoptive families have memorable experiences and enjoy life the way kids were meant to.

 
 
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON MAKE A DONATION
AS A GIFT IN HONOR OF SOMEONE




Making a donation in honor of someone special in your life is a thoughtful way to show your support.  Just let us know who you'd like to honor, along with their address, and we will send a letter acknowledging that you have made a donation to Foster Angels of South Texas in his/her name to help well-deserving foster children in need.  

You can donate online at www.fosterangelsstx.org/how-to-help or you can mail your donation to:

P.O. Box 18863

Corpus Christi, TX 78480

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
 






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Foster Angels of South Texas · 3758 Denver Avenue · Corpus Christi, TX 78411 · USA

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