December 7, 2012 – One hundred twelve women donated 147 stockings and 132 gifts through United Way’s Women in Philanthropy so 197 local foster youth would have holiday wishes fulfilled.Fifty foster youth in Sacramento County’s Gifts From The Heart program received the holiday gifts they requested. United Way’s Women in Philanthropy and community members also filled stockings for 147 foster youth with United Way’s $en$e-Ability project funded partners: Amador-Tuolumne Community Resources, Child Abuse Prevention Council of Sacramento, Koinonia Family Services and New Morning Youth and Family Services.

“Some of these kids are scared, suddenly removed from their homes during what is supposed to be the happiest season of the year,” said Lisa Watts, chair of United Way’s Women in Philanthropy. “Others have experienced years of pain as they bounce from one foster home to another and now prepare to live on their own. United Way’s Women in Philanthropy gives women across the region a tangible way to touch these kids’ hearts during the holidays.”

Dozens of volunteers wrapped gifts, stuffed stockings and wrote personal notes to foster youth, including United Way’s Women in Philanthropy members, community volunteers, representatives of nonprofits supporting foster youth, members of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Junior Troop #1841 and two of the foster youth who will receive stockings. The gifts and stockings will be distributed through United Way’s $en$e-Ability project nonprofit partners and the County of Sacramento.

United Way’s Women in Philanthropy brings women together to foster the future, preparing foster youth for a successful adulthood. A dynamic group of businesswomen, homemakers and community leaders, Women in Philanthropy members raise funds, hold drives and provide trainings focused on helping foster youth rise to their dreams. The group also is a partner in United Way’s $en$e-Ability project, helping foster youth become financially self-sufficient through financial literacy courses and individual development accounts that provide a matched savings program. For more information, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org/wip .

Sacramento County’s Gifts from the Heart is an annual holiday gift-giving program that operates on donations and benefits children and seniors who are in the Department of Health and Human Services’ system of care. For more information, call (916) 875-2027.