Last year, after a LONG process, I was able to gain guardianship of a family member through the local dependency court. The process took years and was an extremely trying time for my family. We were in and out of court almost every week, had weekly visits from social workers and had to undergo intense screening and interview processes. When it was all said and done, I was exhausted and relieved that we could move on with our lives. I also realized that there are many, many children in the foster care system that are not as fortunate as our niece was to have family to fight for them.
I thought back to the time when we found out that she had been taken into protective custody and, then, placed with a foster family. We were only able to talk to her once she was settled into their home. My niece was 3 years old. When we would talk to her on the phone, she was scared and wanted to go home. I had to plead with the social workers and the judge to let her stay with me, because she was so upset, she hadn't eaten in days and cried non-stop. The court agreed and she was transported to my home (beginning our long process to guardianship). I talked with her about her experience and she said that the foster family was nice. THANKFULLY. We also talked about her time at the Children's Receiving Home. I can't imagine how scared she was to be in a strange place, with none of her own belongings and to be surrounded by unfamiliar faces. It was at this moment that I felt like I needed to do SOMETHING to help those kids that were going through the same thing.
In 2010, my husband and I organized a private skateboard camp, here in Sacramento. We hosted 35 children from the Children's Receiving Home. We fed them lunch. They watched a live skateboard demo by some of our local skateboard teams, who then, gave them lessons. Thanks to our sponsors, EVERY child went home with their very own complete skateboard and a ton of prizes. We had kids as young as 5 and some as old as 17. The smiles on their faces as the loaded up on the bus at the end of the day were priceless. That same afternoon, we opened the doors to the skatepark for a public event, which included skateboard demos, live music, live art and a raffle. The proceeds went back to the Children's Receiving Home. It was THE MOST rewarding experience I have ever had.
I have been talking about this event for months. It is the same concept, only in a different format. This time, the event is being hosted by the Sacramento Police Mounted Association. We are bringing in up to 75 children from the Children's Receiving Home for a private show-rodeo. We will provide lunch. They will get to meet and greet with the horses, watch live demonstrations and participate in some fun activities. It is just our way of giving these kids a day to be a kid.
Later in the day, we will open up to the public for the "Five-O Showdeo". See attached flyer. During the show, we will be presenting the Children's Receiving Home with donations of clothing and hygiene products we have collected at different sites throughout Sacramento, this month.
Your support of this event means a lot to me and to my family. Thank you to all of those who have volunteered, donated or purchased tickets.
If you are interested in purchasing tickets to tomorrow's "Five-O Showdeo", please visit:
www.sacmounted.org
Thank you again!
