DHR proud of Christmas success

By Staff
Jonathan Willis FCT Staff Writer
Children in Franklin County foster homes were treated to a special Christmas in 2004 thanks in large part to the generosity of the county's citizens.
The Franklin County Department of Human Resources were able to use donations from local citizens, churches and businesses to provide each of the county's 41 foster children and the 11 families in protective services with a joyous holiday.
The local DHR received enough support from the community that they were able to provide all of the children with what they wanted without having to use money from the foster care fund, something that has not happened in recent years.
Due to the small amounts of state funded money for each child, the foster care fund is used to provide clothes, school supplies and money for extracurricular activities throughout the year.
The average board payment for each child is barely over $400 per month, thus leaving the foster parents and the foster care fund to pay for most extra activities and gifts.
The outpouring of support for the foster program during the holidays will help benefit the program for the rest of the year, but the DHR can always use more help. Because there are only 17 foster families in the county, the DHR is strongly urging local residents to become foster parents.
For more information on making donations or becoming foster parents, contact Bonnie Willmarth at 331-5927.