Utah says “thank you” to foster families and the kids in their care

SALT LAKE CITY — It was a beautiful spring day on Saturday, a perfect setting to celebrate the foster families who make the lives of foster children in Utah a little bit better.

As part of Utah First Lady Abby Cox’s “Show Up” Initiative, volunteers packed gift bags and gave them to foster families at an event in Provo. Inside the gift bags were tickets to events and family-friendly activities, as well as a blanket and other items that were donated by businesses.

One of the women at the event told KSL TV reporter Alex Cabrero that the abundance of items donated to foster families didn’t surprise her.

“This is what Utah does,” said Melissa Hart. “Utah is amazing at this.”

Hart is the executive director of Utah Kids Belong, a state chapter of a national organization that seeks to find homes for every foster child in America.

First Lady Cox was also on hand to give gift bags to foster families and children.  She said she believes that by helping vulnerable children now that we all, as a society, will benefit down the road.

The benefits are difficult to quantify but include a reduction in crime, incarceration, trafficking, and suicide.

Right now there are hundreds of kids in Utah who are waiting for a foster home.  Here’s where you can learn more.

RELATED READING:

• Inside Sources: Fixing foster care will help children find a loving home, says Sen. Lee

• Funding changes for Utah foster programs

• Parents of Susan Powell honor her memory helping foster children