Starbucks helps foster youth in Fresno County with annual 'Light Up a Child’s Life' gift drive

Nov. 29, 2012 - PRLog -- (Fresno County, Calif.) – This holiday season, Starbucks customers in California can share the magic of the holidays with a foster child in need. Through the coffee giant’s annual ‘Light Up a Child’s Life’ holiday gift drive, foster youth being served by Aspiranet, one of the largest nonprofit social service agencies in California, will receive gift donations through this joint effort at participating Starbucks locations. One of Aspiranet’s greatest needs is serving older foster children – both in helping to provide them with meaningful holiday gifts, and when trying to find foster parents for this age group.

From Nov. 13 through Dec. 21, foster youths’ gift wishes will be on display at one of 33 Starbucks stores in Fresno County. Starbucks customers who wish to participate can select a gift wish of a child in foster care from 5 to 17. Unwrapped gifts can be returned to the store location with the original gift tag attached.

Now in its fifth year, the annual Starbucks gift drive builds a bridge between the generosity of the community and the holiday wishes of foster children. Last year, Starbucks customers donated more than 3,500 gifts, allowing Aspiranet social workers to deliver age-appropriate gifts for foster youth between the ages of 5 and 17 to thousands of children throughout the state.

“We are very grateful to partner with Starbucks again and for their generous support of Aspiranet and the children in our care,” said Vernon Brown, CEO of Aspiranet. “As always, we see a greater need for our older youth between the ages of 10 and 17, and encourage the public to open their hearts to foster youth of all ages this season.“

A list of participating Starbucks locations can be found at: http://aspiranetheroes.org/giftdrive. Those unable to visit a Starbucks store can help fund a holiday party for foster children by making an online tax-deductible donation at www.aspiranetheroes.org/giftdrive.

About Aspiranet

Aspiranet, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity, supports foster children, siblings, families, and the community with 35 core programs offering specialized services through 45 satellite centers within California.

Founded 35 years ago as a six-bed group home for young boys in Moss Beach, Calif., Aspiranet is one of the most diverse nonprofit social service agencies in the state. With a statewide network of innovative services, Aspiranet has touched the lives of over 10,000 families and children since its founding.

Aspiranet’s vision of bringing families together and helping foster children, siblings, and parents thrive is realized through six areas of expertise – Family Services, Foster Care, Adoption, Education, Afterschool programs, and Community Partnerships. For more information, please visit www.aspiranet.org.