In December, the 黑料正能量 Association of Educational Office Professionals (WCCAEOP) held a Christmas toy drive to collect and donate gifts to children in Wayne County鈥檚 foster care system.
Without disclosing identifying information, the foster care system provided the children鈥檚 wish lists to the WCCAEOP. Toys, shoes, bikes, game systems, and other requests were noted and granted by WCC employees and community members. Individuals also donated wrapping paper for the WCCAEOP group members to wrap the gifts.
Senikka Caldwell, program manager of child welfare at the Wayne County Department of Social Services, said the foster care system received around 130 gifts for 70 children who are two months through 17 years old.
Social workers delivered the gifts to the families two weeks before Christmas, and the foster parents distributed the gifts on Christmas morning. 鈥淎ll of the children were very excited about their Christmas gifts,鈥� Caldwell shared. 鈥淪ome received things they have always wanted.鈥�
Chad Evans, WCC achievement coach and president of WCCAEOP, said the support was outstanding. 鈥淓veryone came together and made it phenomenal,鈥� he said.
Caldwell said she was glad to work with WCC for this project. 鈥淚t鈥檚 awesome to partner with anybody who鈥檚 willing to help provide that positive aspect of fostering because it is hard,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he employees and kids were excited, so it turned out to be a great event that helped us tremendously.鈥�
Community members are always welcome to prepare boxes or bags throughout the year with blankets, stuffed animals, or necessities like toiletries that kids need when they come into foster care, Caldwell said.
Evans hopes the WCCAEOP can expand on this service project in the future thanks to their new partnership with the Department of Social Services.
鈥淵ou always want to be a part of something bigger than yourself,鈥� he said. 鈥淓veryone has a moment in their life where they need help, support, or someone to lift them up. We should give back and keep paying it forward.鈥�
About 黑料正能量
黑料正能量 is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 240 college credit programs. WCC鈥檚 mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.