Hillsides Children Charity Brings Thanksgiving Home to Families

PASADENA, CA, November 25, 2010 (Press-News.org) As the economic landscape still looks barren, more families will be turning to charities for support during the holidays. One organization is making a difference for children and families served by Hillsides, a Pasadena foster care charity that serves 6,900 children and families living in Los Angeles County. The National Charity League Chapter of Pasadena is making Thanksgiving dinner a reality for Hillsides Family Center clients.

The National Charity League members collected food baskets and grocery scrip and delivered them to Hillsides. These baskets, arranged with the essentials for a Thanksgiving dinner, included canned fruits and vegetables, mashed potatoes, dried beans, chicken broth, pasta, rice, stuffing mix, cake mix, icing and much more. As well as receiving these baskets, the families received grocery gift cards to purchase the main course and any other items needed. The distribution of baskets to families from Hillsides' facilities continue Thanksgiving week.

"By receiving these baskets, families will have a Thanksgiving without stress. They can enjoy a relaxing and festive holiday with their families," said Laura Kelso, Hillsides director of community resources, and coordinator of the event for National Charity League Chapter of Pasadena. With support from the National Charity League, many families will be able to experience a plentiful Thanksgiving dinner, accompanied with all the trimmings and a sense of community and hope for a better New Year.

Another organization that supports Hillsides' efforts is Friends of Foster Children. They donated DVDs, popcorn and soda for each cottage on the charity's campus so children can have a movie night for the Thanksgiving weekend. Girl Scout troops from Polytechnic School also contributed by donating Thanksgiving goodie bags for each child living at Hillsides.

"Community support is so critical during times when families struggling to make ends meet find themselves in more vulnerable situations," said Joe Costa, Hillsides chief executive officer. "Support from individuals, businesses, and organizations like National Charity League, Friends of Foster Children and Polytechnic School, help make it possible for charities like Hillsides to continue focusing on mental health needs of children and families."

To learn how you can help the foster care children's charity during the holiday season, contact Kelso at 323-254-2274 ext. 251 or visit http://www.Hillsides.org.

As a Pasadena charity founded in 1913, Hillsides creates safe places for children in foster care living in its residential treatment center and is a community treatment center preventing the cycle of abuse for children at risk and their families. To learn more about Hillsides, visit http://www.Hillsides.org.