Each holiday season, we are overwhelmed by the depth of generosity from our community, and Christmas of 2021 was no exception. We want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible volunteers and donors who showered our foster youth and families with love. Whether it was organizing an event, donating a toy, or giving of a talent, each act of selflessness brought so much joy.
“I honestly feel all of our donors are rock stars…every year they put in so much effort to make sure each of our foster youth have happy hearts and smiley faces on Christmas morning. Our community members who reach out to give presents and gift cards are appreciated more than I can express to them. It really does take a village. I’m so grateful I live in the best one.” ~ Renee Cain, Family Services Coordinator
There are several organizations and individuals who went above and beyond this holiday season to support our mission of bringing hope and healing to foster youth and families. The list below consists of people who have donated their time more than anything. For a full list of individuals who have shown their generosity through monetary donations, click here. Government funding does not provide for all the unique needs of our children, and the extra support we receive helps us to provide the highest quality of care to foster youth. Koinonia extends a heartfelt thank you for everyone’s support during the holidays, especially in such a challenging year.
Toy Drive Organizers
We are incredibly grateful to those who organized toy drives for Christmas this year. Not only did they pour time and energy into these projects, but they inspired others to join in the spirit of giving. Thank you for putting the biggest smiles on our foster youths’ faces!
- Adam & Katie Tancredi
- The Alliance: Defending the Cause of Kids & Families
- Assistance League of Temecula Valley
- Buy 4 the Kids
- Foothill Girls and Boys Water Polo
- Haskell and White
- Lisa Ho
- Placer County Sherriffs
- Rise Fitness & Performance
- Rosendin Electric
- Roseville CA Police
- San Diego Foster Angels
- Saira Zimmerman
- Shine With Purpose
- Soroptimist Loomis Basin
- Together We Rise
- Trinity Property
- Veterans Affairs
Event Sponsors
Koinonia was blown away by everyone who stepped up to sponsor (or plan) a special holiday event. Some of them provided food, some hosted socially-distanced gatherings, and some donated gifts/stockings for the event. All of our sponsors helped to lift the spirits of foster youth and resource families this holiday season. To everyone who participated, we truly cannot thank you enough.
Special Shout-Outs
Some individuals got very creative with the way they supported Koinonia’s mission this holiday season. They leveraged their talents and/or resources to spread holiday cheer to foster kids and families! We are both humbled and inspired by their willingness to give of themselves.
To support Koinonia’s Homes for Teens program during the holiday season, Bonnie auctioned off her Tesla merchandise. Bonnie is a former volunteer at Koinonia, so she knows the type of impact it has on our community.
“It’s important to support [programs] like Koinonia’s [Homes for Teens]. These kids aren’t looking for adoption – they have families…aunts, uncles, siblings. They just need a safe place to be for a temporary period of time or until they reach adulthood. Koinonia supplies that home for them. They live with their friends. Counseling is available to them 24/7. The love there overflows. And the kids aren’t just forgotten when they reach adulthood. There’s scholarships and homes in the community where they are assisted as they reach full self-sufficiency. These kids arrive traumatized and transition into proud, healthy, contributing adults.”
The Tesla Owners Club of East Bay helped her with this project and 100% of the proceeds went to help foster teens. Thank you, Bonnie, for making Christmas extra special for the residents at Koinonia’s Homes for Teens!
- Jesica & Mimi Armand
Gifted at jewelry-making, Jesica and Mimi poured precious time into crafting homemade necklaces, which they donated as Christmas gifts. You both are gems – thank you!
- John & Melissa Williams
One of our incredible Koinonia Families, John and Melissa, took time out of their busy schedule to gift each Koinonia staff member in Southern California with beautiful handmade glass charms. Thank you, John and Melissa!
- Karen Segal
A wonderful photographer, Karen generously donated her expertise to provide holiday photos for the resource families at Koinonia’s Santa Ana office. Thank you so much Karen!
- Mark Hartman
A member of the Real Bearded Santas of San Diego, Mark joyfully volunteered his services. It was so special to have Santa at our resource family’s holiday party – a big thank you from our San Diego office!
