Anonymous Holiday donation will provide protection to children, youth, and families supported by FACS Niagara
Adopted more than 40-years ago, a donor who would like to remain anonymous has given back a huge Holiday gift to FACS Niagara to help other children, youth, and families.
The donor is a former child in care of FACS Niagara who was adopted in the late 1970s. The donor arranged for a gift-in-kind donation of four skids of 60,000 masks each – two skids of adult masks and two skids of masks for children. He also donated the delivery charges. The value of the generous donation is more than $45,000.
“FACS Niagara found me the most incredible parents and sister a child could ask for,” said the donor. “Being in a position to give back to that organization is immensely rewarding but does not even scratch the surface of my gratitude.”
The donor also stated that “Everyone at FACS does very important work at the best of times… I can’t imagine how difficult the extra layer of caution, stress and uncertainty has added to your task.”
“We are so grateful for this amazing donation to help keep kids and families safe during the pandemic,” said Anna Bozza, Executive Director of Family & Children’s Services Niagara. “And it’s heartening that a former child in our care and who was adopted, came forward to donate these masks. His gift will help hundreds of others who are now receiving help and support of FACS Niagara!”
FACS Niagara will distribute boxes of the masks to the more than 400 children and youth in care, the 150 Foster Parents, and to the more than 800 families who receive ongoing support services. The 3-ply, general purpose masks carry the ASTM Level 1 certification and come in packs of 50.
“Thank you so much to this anonymous donor for this amazing and special Holiday gift,” said Darlene McDowell, President of the FACS Niagara Foundation. “We deeply appreciate his generously in assisting those who are in a similar situation that he himself faced as a child.”
People interested in more information about the FACS Niagara Foundation or in making a donation can go to the website www.facsniagarafoundation.org or call 905-937-7731 ext. 3314.
Family & Children’s Services Niagara has been serving the community since 1898 as the only mandated child protection agency for the Niagara peninsula. FACS offers a wide range of child welfare services and community programs, including foster care and adoption services, and community programs like the Family Counselling Centre and Child Care programs. To learn more about their important work in the community and how you can help, please visit their website at www.facsniagara.on.ca or follow them on social media.
Since the FACS Niagara Foundation began in 1999, generous individuals, corporations, and organizations have donated $9.1 million and supported thousands of children, youth, and families. Thanks to the community’s generosity, so far in 2020: 37 youth received education grants and COVID support to pursue post-secondary studies or training; 65 children enjoyed a COVID-safe camp experience in August and 110 children and youth received “Summer Smiles at Home” activity baskets; 140 youth got help making the transition from foster care to living independently; 50 youth will receive “Home for the Holidays” care packages; and more than 250 families received emergency COVID-19 supports for food and basic needs.
