Homes for Hearts thankful for donations

Homes for Hearts, Inc. would like to thank all those who donated time, money, food, gifts and gift cards to the Burke County foster children during the 2011 holiday season. At our annual Christmas celebration party, held for the first time in the basement of the Morganton Collett Street Recreation Center, we welcomed 85 foster children, and 155 additional guests which included foster families, placement staff, social workers, Homes for Hearts, Inc. board members and their families. The event was a tremendous success for our foster children!

Homes for Hearts, Inc is truly grateful to the following individuals, organizations and area businesses whose contributions led to this wonderful achievement: J&S Cafeteria, Pepsi, Bojangles, Chick-fila-Hickory Mall, Eric & Jennifer Snipes, Charles & Joanne Hedrick, Harris Teeter, Jersey Mikes, Sara Lee, North Morganton United Methodist Youth, Pastor Neil & Selwyn Shaw and children Benjamin and Bethany, Allison’s, Vonda Mosteller, Steve Whisnant and wife, Burke Co. Sheriffs Dept, Morganton Department of Public Safety, Morgan Malikowski and Allison Ferrell

Gift bags were given to each child at the party. We wish to thank our contributors, including: Blue Ridge Reading Council —Ann Shook, Sonic, McDonalds — Heather and Patrick Joyner, Zaxby’s — Barry Beck, Domino’s —Mitch Young, Pepsi, Oak Ridge Baptist Church, Nancy Taylor, Mighty Dollar — Mike Kubal, Jersey Mikes — Theresa Kinney, and Arby’s — Vanessa McGee.

Monetary Christmas donations were received from the following: Allen and Revonda Mull, Alicia Evans, Annelle Mulwee, Barbara Halverson, Dr. Paula Reynolds Toy Drive , Morganton Elk’s Lodge, Bill and Carolyn Vaassen, Brenda Simmons, Bruce and Trace Riebel, Burkemont Service Center, Christopher and Lisa Gragg, Continental Auto Sys. Inc., Helen Patton, Herbert and Maxine Lail, Howard and Jonnie Houck, Ina and Jerry Duckworth, JW and GR McGhee, Kenneth and Marcella Warlick, Linda Kincaid, Lisa and Jack Mathes, Louis and Rebecca Brinkley, Mahala Cannon, Patsy McNeely, Rodrick and Wanda Orders, Jack and Beverly Hyatt, S. Elaine Scoggins, Stitchcrafters, Todd and Leanne Lynn, Triangle Contractors, Inc., Valerie Dunst, Valdese Heritage Center, W. Renee Brackett, Walton Realty, William and Judith Buchly, Wilma Bailey, Pat Denton, Jiny Ramsey, King’s Landscaping, Wallace & Ann Moncrief, Lynne Hallyburton, Pepsi Bottling Co., Dennis and Patricia Lee, Caleb and Heather Landry, and State Employee’s Credit Union-Enola Road Branch.

Angel Tree gift bag donation sponsors were: Dr. Alan Jacks, Fatz of Morganton, Oak Hill UMC Youth, Wells Fargo - South Sterling Street Branch, SECU-Carbon City Road Branch, Judge’s Riverside, SECU - Enola Road Branch, AJ’s Steakhouse, Carol’s Hair Infinity, Burke Primary Care, Continental Teeves, Burke County Courthouse, Burke County DSS employees, Calvary Baptist Daycare, Burke Service Center and Kentucky Fried Chicken - Carbon City Road.

Other contributors, which included gift cards: Caterpillar, Delores Huffman, Tamara Tipton, Morganton Public Safety, North Carolina Highway Patrol, Troop F of Morganton, Oak Hill UMC- Women’s Group, Karen Rockett, Oak Hill Fire Dept., JIRDC Creative Therapy, Jennifer Snipes, Rachel Butler, Kandice Gallion, Joyce Poteet, Tina Mosley, Wendy Hayworth, Judy Hawkins, Tammy Eldreth, Anna Smith-Bradley, Amber Mecimore, April Spurlin, Amy Bennett, North Carolina DMV License & Theft Bureau, Doris Bristol, Robin Campbell, Darlene Roper, Kathy Craig, Anita Roberts, First Baptist Morganton-Young Disciples Class, Donna Mecimore and Hopewell Baptist-Women’s Embrace.

Many gifts and gift cards were given anonymously. You know who you are and we greatly appreciate your contributions to the foster children.

In addition to the previously mentioned supporters, Homes for Hearts, Inc. would also like to thank the Morganton Parks and Recreation for hosting the party at the Collett Street Recreation Center and the Burke County Recreation Department for allowing the use of their facility in Drexel for temporary storage, gift sorting, bagging, wrapping and preparation.

Lastly, we would like to thank Fulenwider Enterprises and Burke County Toys for Tots for their additional toys and gifts. As a result of their generosity, we were able to provide presents to Burke County Work First families and special Treatment Cases through Burke County Department of Social Services.

On behalf of the foster children served by the Burke County Department of Social Services who benefited from the generosity of those named here, we thank you greatly! We truly do appreciate you helping us to “Watch Over the Children”.

Homes for Hearts, Inc.

Board of Directors