May is National Foster Care Month
For Immediate Release
PDF Version, 148 kb
National Foster Care Month Brings Awareness to Cause by Honoring Foster Families and Supporters
Sleep Country USA Asks Community for Renewed Support to Create Lasting Change
SEATTLE – May 11, 2010 – National Foster Care Month recognizes the significant contributions and dedicated work of foster parents and draws attention to programs and practices that promote stability for children in foster care. Originating in 1988, National Foster Care Month has inspired people nationwide for more than 20 years to support the more than 500,000 children and youth living in foster care – including the more than 26,000 in Washington and Oregon. Sleep Country USA, the Northwest’s largest seller of premium mattress sets, created its Foster Kids Program in 2005 to focus its charitable efforts on one very important social cause and increase its community impact.
“During this important month of recognition, we strive to relay our sincere appreciation for the incredible generosity of our community who make our foster program so successful,” said Terry Horsley, vice president of brand strategy, Sleep Country USA. “We work hand-in-hand with foster care organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest to support foster children who are removed from their homes and faced with an uncertain, often scary future. Our annual drives provide these children with needed material items like shoes, coats, clothing, school supplies, pajamas, and during the holidays – gifts, and most importantly the reminder that their community cares about them.”
While foster children may return home to their parents, others will live in foster care until they become adults or are adopted. Throughout the year, but especially during May, everyone is encouraged to play a more active role in the lives of foster children. Individuals and businesses interested in helping local foster children can get involved in the following ways:
- Be a foster parent: There continues to be a shortage of foster homes. Consider caring for siblings and adolescent children – one of the most underserved segments.
-
Be a volunteer child advocate: Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are trained citizens appointed by judges to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in court.
-
Mentor a child: Help children and youth achieve higher grades and improve relationships with friends and families.
-
Employ a foster child: Help a youth in foster care explore career options and find a job.
-
Make a donation: The Sleep Country USA Foster Kids program has donated hundreds of thousands of items and more than $200,000 to its foster organization partners. Support Sleep Country USA’s efforts by making a personal donation, holding an office drive, or donating company merchandise. Visit www.sleepcountry.com for more information, to donate online, or to find the store location nearest you to make donations.
Ready to help? Sleep Country USA is currently holding its annual shoe drive for foster kids through May 30th. Donations of new shoes in child and adult sizes can be dropped off at any Oregon or Washington Sleep Country USA location. To find the store nearest to you or for more information about the shoe drive, please visit www.sleepcountry.com or call 1-888-88-SLEEP.
About Sleep Country USA
Sleep Country USA is the No. 1 mattress seller in the Northwestern United States, with more than 70 mattress retail stores throughout Washington and Oregon. Sleep Country USA’s award-winning Sleep Country Foster Kids program actively contributes to its communities through ongoing donation drives and fundraising events that benefit the area’s more than 26,000 foster children. For more information, please visit www.sleepcountry.com or call 1-888-88-SLEEP.
Media Contacts:
Revolution PR for Sleep Country USA
Jennifer Karkar Ritchie, (206) 932-2454, jennifer@revolutionpr.com
Aaron Hilst, (206) 355-3506, aaron@revolutionpr.com
>