Local nonprofit aims to spread holiday cheer, lighten financial burden for foster families
The annual campaign is set to help nearly 3000 kids and families.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Youth Villages kicked off their annual “Holiday Heroes” campaign on Tuesday morning.
Youth Villages is a non-profit that helps foster families.
They kicked off the campaign by turning an office space into a hub for holiday cheer. Volunteers, including a few Tennessee Titans, organized toys and decorated the space to kick off the campaign.
The campaign allows volunteers to sponsor a child and get them everything on their wish list. People can also donate money.
Youth Villages says it helps kids and young adults like Shunday Wright.
“I’ve been in foster care for a long time so I’ve been receiving gifts for a very long time,” Wright said.
For almost seven Christmases now, Wright said she’s always gotten exactly what she wanted.
“I put a Babyliss which is an expensive flat iron...I was shocked cause normally you would expect to get like maybe socks or clothes or something of that sort so I was really surprised that I got a Babyliss,” Wright said. “I thought it was too expensive.”
On Tuesday morning, Wright returned to help others who are similar to her.
“I’m able to talk to kids and understand what they’re going through because I’ve been through it so it’s really exciting to be able to help out.”
But Wright says don’t feel bad, “I don’t really like when people show pity toward me cause my experience is my experience but it made me who I am today.”
As a senior at Tennessee State University, with plans to go to medical school, Wright said she’s on her way and that this program had something to do with that.
“It made me feel like they care and with me not really having as much family to be able to go out and get the things I want and need,” Wright said.
If you’re interested in volunteering or donating, you can sign up on Youth Villages website.
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