“Angel Tree Campaign: Foster parents aim to bring smiles to kids - Everything Alabama Blog” plus 1 more

Angel Tree Campaign: Foster parents aim to bring smiles to kids - Everything Alabama Blog

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 07:31 AM PST

Published: Wednesday, December 08, 2010, 9:30 AM

The older of Willie and Monica Spence's five foster children are well aware that Christmas is on the way. When the Sunday newspaper arrives, their two 4-year-old boys and their 3-year-old girl start to pore over the advertisements.

"They look in the newspaper for the toys," Monica said. "We try to get them what they need and some of what they want."

To help provide those children a little something extra for Christmas, the

Spences signed up for the Fox 6 Gifts for Kids Salvation Army's Angel Tree program. The program provides a way for people to adopt -- by donating clothing and toys -- needy children up to age 10 in central Alabama. The Salvation Army's annual gift drive continues through Dec. 11.

Out of 8,000 children in the Birmingham area participating in the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program, 400 are children who've been taken in by foster families.

The couple met later in life after raising children of their own. Willie is 66 and retired after 40 years as a railroad operator with U.S. Steel. Monica, 47, works part time at Auto Zone. But, at home, she has a full-time job caring for two sets of siblings they've taken in and plan to adopt. In addition to the 3- and 4-year-olds, they are caring for a 16-month-old boy and a 9-month-old girl.

In their neatly kept threebedroom- two-bathroom house in Brighton, the kitchen cabinets are filled with baby formula and baby food. The kids' bedrooms are populated with stuffed animals; a playroom has walkers and toys.

"It is lively when we come together to sit down and eat," Monica said.

Though they didn't plan on starting a family when they married in 2001, both had loved raising children.

"We've always had kids around us," Monica said. "They just fill the day."

Willie will be coming out of Little League retirement.

"I coached baseball for many years, and I'll be coming back into that," he said.

After taking in and caring for a troubled friend's child up to age 3, they realized they still had more to give so they decided to make themselves available as foster parents.

"I guess she is a softie," Willie said of Monica. "She doesn't want kids to fall through the cracks. And then you get attached to these children."

"It's worth it to me to see them smile," Monica said.

Even though they've taken in all they can care for, their names are still on the foster care list and the Department of Human Resources still calls trying to place children who've been removed from their parents. It's evidence of the great need out there. Statewide there are 6,000 children in the foster care system.

"We get calls constantly about everything from newborns, to toddler to teenagers," Monica said. "There are so many kids and so few homes."

While the state provides support payments to help foster parents care for children, it's not enough to cover all the expenses.

"It's not enough to fully take care of them, but it helps," Spence said.

They hope the Angel Tree program will provide something extra. Monica said she is hoping for clothes and educational toys for all the children. For the toddlers, she's asked for a riding toy and for the 4-year-olds and the 3-year-old she's hoping for books.

"Any little bit helps to make it a better and more joyful Christmas for the kids."

Join the conversation, add a comment or e-mail: tspencer@bhamnews.com

ANGELS REGISTERED

12,967

ANGELS ADOPTED

as of Dec. 7

9,870

ANGELS WAITING

3,097

WHEN IS IT?

Today through Dec. 11

WHAT CAN I DO?

> Choose an angel from the Fox 6 Gifts for Kids Salvation Army Angel Tree at Colonial Brookwood Village. You can also choose an angel online at www.myfoxal.com or www.jcpenneys.com. Angels range from infants through 10, plus foster children and agency registrants meeting poverty guidelines.

Each paper angel identifies the child's first name, age, gender, clothing type and sizes, needs and wishes and other information.

> Shop for your angel and take the gifts, unwrapped, to the attendant at the tree at Brookwood Village by Dec. 11.

> Anywhere else? New, unwrapped toys can be taken to any Chick-fil-A restaurant in the Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Anniston or Gadsden areas.

> Businesses and other organizations can help by adopting more than five angels. A Salvation Army coordinator can work with the organization. More info: 328-2420.

WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED?

> Bell ringers are needed

at area shopping centers, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. each day until Dec. 24.

> Volunteers are needed

to arrange and bag toys for distribution, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

weekdays until Dec. 22.

MORE INFORMATION

328-2420, www.birminghamsalvationarmy.org

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