The Salem Rotary Club recently hosted its annual Department of Children and Families Holiday party. This event supports children throughout the North Shore region and allows foster children the opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their foster families and often their siblings who are not able to be housed in the same foster home. Hosted at the beautiful Kernwood Country Club in Salem, this fun afternoon provided fun activities, a magician, stories with Elsa and Anna, good food, gifts, and a visit from Santa Claus himself.
"The Salem Rotary Club is proud to support DCF at this annual event,” said Club President Jen Close. “This event is something we look forward to every year, and Rotarians have just as much fun bringing joy to families in our community as the children who attend."
Rotarians work closely with Carla King, Family Resource Worker at DCF, on the planning and carrying out of this event. Salem Rotarians wrapped all of the gifts for the children and their families, transported gifts and supplies to the Kernwood, set up the event, supported the party activities, and provided clean up. This is always a great opportunity for Salem Rotarians to give back to the community and involve their own families in service. This year, we were also pleased to welcome the Interact Club from Peabody, who volunteered at the event.
DCF is charged with protecting children from abuse and neglect and strengthening families. DCF works to protect over 100,000 youth each year, while strengthening families across the state. The DCF Foster Care Program provides safe homes and compassionate foster parents for children who are removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or unsafe or dangerous conditions. This year’s event provided 65 children with holiday gifts and a really great afternoon.