Donations sought for foster care

To the Editor:

My name is Mary Douglas and I am a member of the Indiana Foster Care and Adoption Association (IFCAA) Board of Directors. I serve as an officer of the Board, as Treasurer and I am also responsible for building the IFCAA scholarship fund.

Each year IFCAA hosts a 3-day Conference to provide training for Foster Parents, relatives of children in foster care, and parents who have adopted children out of the foster care system. Over 38 workshops are presented to help parents and caregivers improve their skills in order that they may care for children with special needs and challenges.

The conference is held in November in Indianapolis and over 500 people attend this training to learn how to deal with such issues as Bi-Polar Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD, Developmental Delays, Sexual Abuse, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Autism, and Medical Challenges that these children live with each day. Parents who care for these children need multiple skills to help them become successful adults. Additionally, parents of children with these types of challenges need the support of their community.

I am sending this letter to ask for your support to help IFCAA with their Silent Auction to raise money for the scholarship fund for college-bound youth.

Please show your support with an item of interest or a monetary donation. We will provide you with a receipt of donation, as IFCAA is a not-for-profit 501c 3 Charitable Organization. All donors will be listed in our conference program guide as an expression of our appreciation. For over 35 years IFCAA has provided education, support and guidance, and scholarships to help these children with expenses. A tax-deductible donation of $100 would really help.

Please send your items or donations to the IFCAA office or me, Mary Douglas, at P.O. Box 15840, Ft. Wayne, Indiana 46885 before November 1. Feel free to call me at 260-493-1149 and I will arrange to have it picked up, no matter how big or small or answer any questions you may have. Thank you in advance for anything you can do.

Sincerely,

Mary Douglas