Several wide-eyed children in the La Plata County Foster Care/Adoption Program received a special visit from Santa Claus on Thursday evening. Making a jolly grand entrance and waving, he rolled into the parking lot of the Durango Community Recreation Center atop a red Durango Fire & Rescue Authority truck.
Santa distributed several gifts to each child one by one as they climbed inside the truck to sit on his lap.
The program was hosting its annual Christmas party, which is an appreciation event for both the foster and adoptive families involved, program supervisor Kris Kemp said.
“We are thankful for what they do on a daily basis,” she said. “And we are always in need of more families who are able to provide loving and stable houses.”
Potential foster parents go through extensive screening, background checks, home studies and orientation courses, Kemp said.
The Foster Care/Adoption Program is headquartered in the county’s human services office in the Durango courthouse on East Second Avenue. As of now, the program has 15 certified foster homes in the county. Twenty children are currently in the program.
Inside the rec center Thursday night, an array of meticulously placed Christmas decorations adorned the room. A buffet-style Mexican dinner was catered to the guests. Dessert was not missed; a round table stacked with elaborately decorated cupcakes was carefully placed in the back corner of the room. A table near the food was filled with various stuffed animals, books and board games – free for the taking.
At the front of the room a bright pink and yellow piñata hung from the ceiling, which later in the evening became a popular activity for the kids. Also, a Christmas tree with several polar bears stacked beneath it drew the attention of the younger children. By the end of the dinner all the bears had a new home, including the one used as the tree-topper.
Martha Schmitt of Hesperus has opened her home to a fair share of foster children over the years. She and her husband, Nick, have adopted five children and have cared for numerous short-term foster children. The Schmitts adopted their oldest daughter, Areanna, 10 years ago in June. Areanna, who is now 15, attended the Christmas party and playfully chatted with friends.
When asked what advice she’d give to children entering the system, she said, “You could talk to me, I’ve been through it (the system).”
Zay Wallace, 5, was officially adopted by the Wallace family in May, joining the family’s two sons, Liam and Ian. The rambunctious boy was spotted admiring the large display of precisely stacked cupcakes – scouting for the perfect one – which he nearly dropped on his way to his seat. As he crawled under the tables joining his brothers and later his parents, Randy and Maureen Wallace, they both gushed about him. He’s become an essential puzzle piece for the family of five.
Maureen Wallace said she has enjoyed raising three young boys. She expressed satisfaction in fostering children and hopes to further expand her family in the future.
The Fort Lewis College Ballet Folklorico performed several Mexican folk dances at the event. This was the dance group’s first time attending the annual Christmas party.
Dance coordinator Jennifer Cossey was grateful for the opportunity.
“This is really an important organization that helps the community,” she said.
vguthrie@durangoherald.com
How to get involved
Those interested in becoming a foster parent can call 382-6150 and ask for the La Plata County Foster Care/Adoption Program.
