During the spring season, the Children’s Foundation of America (CFA) provides spring baskets for foster youth and children in need. This year a total of 217 baskets were assembled to bring cheer to foster youth and children in need.

Volunteers Karen Valente and Tamera Guarnieri assembled spring goodie bags made possible by board members Sheri Nagel and Carla Kingsbury, as well as Image Source, who provided the candy. Our volunteers filled the goodie bags with candy, mini coloring books, crayons, games, fruit snacks, and candy. In addition to the goodie bags, our community partners at Claremont Toyota provided several spring baskets filled with candy, games, stuffed animals and more.

Thanks to an anonymous donor, we were able to provide Easter weekend activities for youth living in group homes. These youth got to have an egg hunt, a special meal on campus, an outing at Castlepark Amusement Park, dinner at BJ’s, received fast food gift cards, participated in flying kites, photo booth and playing games.

Through this successful campaign, CFA served Purposely Chosen, Inc, an organization located in the Riverside who serves at risk youth and teen mothers and Trinity Youth Services (TYS) Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTP) in Apple Valley and Yucaipa, as well as their foster care services in Monterey Park and Rancho Cucamonga.

“Thank you to the Children’s Foundation of America for the goody bags and funding our Easter weekend activities,” said TYS STRTP Director Elizabeth Tamoush.

A big thank you to everyone who helped make a difference this springtime season! The memories made by the youth will not soon be forgotten and mean so much.

 

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Briana Calderon, Volunteer Coordinator
Briana leads our volunteer program through various campaigns and volunteer activities year round. Briana describes her responsibility as helping to create a space for everyone to come volunteer and find community in serving a greater purpose than our own. Briana graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication with a focus on public relations at California State University San Bernardino. During her time at CSUSB, she was a student recruiter and tour guide. Having enjoyed her experience working with students and public speaking, working with volunteers seemed like a natural step. Briana has helped advance our volunteer systems with technology and provided virtual volunteer opportunities when possible. In addition to her position at CFA, Briana also serves on the Diversity, Inclusion, Value, Equity (DIVE) team.