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By HOLLY HAYES / Mercury
News
for
several weeks each holiday season, Georgia Butterfield thinks a
little less about selling real estate and a lot more about filling
up a warehouse with gifts for hundreds of kids who would otherwise
be overlooked at the holidays.
It's a simple concept but a daunting task.
Alameda County Child Protective Services provides the names, sizes
and "wish lists'' of young people in shelters and group homes --
kids who have been abused, abandoned, forgotten. Butterfield and
her small army of volunteers make it their job to match things up.
The name of their non-profit organization, Adopt an Angel, pretty
much says it all.
This year, they also want to help the children who are awaiting
placement in safe housing.
"The Assessment Center is a high-security location where children
who are taken into custody must be processed by the social workers,''
says Butterfield.
"These children are frightened and unsure of their futures. The
time they have to spend at the Center is softened by toys, stuffed
animals and clean clothes. Many of the kids come in with only the
clothes on their backs. Some have no shoes.''
Butterfield says she was moved by a recent visit to the Center.
"It reaffirmed by belief that what we do is significant in giving
them a little bit of sunshine,'' she says. ""These children have
been through what most people cannot even imagine.''
Adopt an Angel's 2004 goal is to provide gifts to more than 1,000
young people.
Kids can -- and do -- request all kinds of things, from in-demand
electronic toys to classic playthings like dolls and games. Some
ask for school supplies, backpacks, warm jackets, blankets and other
things most children take for granted.
This year, the organization also will be seeking donations to purchase
a lot of basics: underwear, socks, shoes, sweatshirts, sweatpants,
pajamas.
Adopt an Angel's goal is to make sure all of these young people
have at least one present to open on Christmas morning.
Says Butterfield: "Each child has a story. We just try to make
them forget that story for one day.''
Each
donation of $30 will pay for presents for one child. A gift
of $25 will buy basics for one child. A $5
donation will provide wrapping paper and tape for about 15 presents.
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VOLUNTEER PAIRS GIFTS, NEEDY KIDS
