x
Breaking News
More () »

Christmas is two weeks away, and Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition is adding up Little Wishes

The organization is working to grant nearly 4,600 Little Wishes from children in foster care – that's more than they have ever had.

ST. LOUIS — December is almost halfway over, and the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition is busy granting Little Wishes.

It’s like Santa’s workshop in their Brentwood offices. And on a cold day in early December, that location could be called the Little Wishes Gift Card division. Out of nearly 4,600 little wishes from children in foster care – the most the organization has ever had – about a third are requests for gift cards.

Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition Executive Director Melanie Scheetz said, “Our kids don't get a lot of choices in life. So, the fact that maybe they get a gift card to Five Below or to go on a shopping spree at DSW, it just means the world to our kids. So today we're sending out more than 2,000 gift cards to our kids.”

Scheetz says the cardboard “thermometer” in their window shows St. Louis area residents have already granted about two-thirds of the requests, making Little Wishes part of their family tradition.

About 1700 little wishes remain.

Scheetz said it warms her heart when people grant little wishes in someone else’s honor – like a grandparent, or a colleague.

“We have more people giving large amounts,” she added. “We love when folks are able to grant one wish, but when they can do 16! Not everybody can do so much, but some do. And some businesses actually collect funds and pull them together. That enables us to go through the wishes much faster.”

Right now, you can buy a holiday gift for a child in foster care. 5 On Your Side is partnering with the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition for our "Little Wishes" campaign.

You can buy through Dec. 20.

Before You Leave, Check This Out