By Grace Hirdes Photos Courtesy of Heartland for Children For a lot of children, the Holidays are very difficult. Holidays typically mean family time over a nice family dinner or gathering at a grandparent’s home, but for reasons beyond their control some children cannot be with family on the holidays. That’s why 16 years ago the Rudolph Round-up started with the purpose of making children’s holidays merry and bright and reminding foster parents that they are a part of a community that cares and supports them as foster parents are busy all year helping the children in their care and making life as normal as possible. By donating to Rudolph’s Round-up, the community can acknowledge their sacrifice and step up to help the parents give the children in their care a holly-jolly Christmas. When they first started, the Rudolph Round-up reached about 400 children, they have grown and are now about to reach about 1700 children. The program prioritizes children who are out of the care of their parents. Once they’ve met that need, they look into children who have recently gone home but still need care, and try to help meet their holiday needs as well.
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Heartland LIVINGMagazine.com
