
November to December 20
Spirit of Christmas
Every child's list, three wishes plus the basics, bought new and wrapped by hand. Last year 1,514 children and youth, and more than 1,000 volunteers and donors.
Christmas wish lists, graduation tubs, clothes within 24 hours of removal, and a mentor for youth aging out. For Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, from one warehouse on Celeste Drive in Shelby Township, since 47 children in 2006.
501(c)(3) · a board that serves without pay · est. 2006

Spirit of Christmas 2025
1,514 children and youth, every list wrapped
GivenDec 2025

Cocktails for a Cause Gala
450+ guests, more than double the year before
Our event2026

Gestamp wrap team
A reserved slot, a table of lists, a shift
Hosted for usDec 2025

Night at the Races
200+ guests in derby hats
Our eventMay 2026

Charity Golf Classic
154 golfers for Hats Off to Grads
Our eventJun 2026

Hats Off to Grads 2026
Stocked tubs for more than 50 graduates
GivenJun 2026

Kaizen Financial
The whole office, in matching green
Hosted for usDec 2025

Masquerade for a Mission
Palazzo Grande, with keynote Manuel Padilla, who grew up in care
Our eventOct 2026

Homecoming & Prom shop
New dresses and suits, free, three days in August
GivenAug 2026

Dueling pianos
Illusionist, caricaturist, cigar bar and a strolling dinner
Our eventGala 2026

Best dressed, Derby Night
Friendly wagering and heartfelt purpose at Fern Hill
Our eventMay 2026

Our hosts, Joe and Theresa
Masquerade for a Mission, emceed by Screamin' Scott Randall
Our eventOct 2026

Pickup day
Tubs, certificates and a send-off for the class of 2026
GivenJun 2026

Sorting day
Every list shopped, sized and staged before the wrappers arrive
GivenNov 2025

Wrap season
1,000+ volunteers and donors, November to December 20
Our eventEvery year

Spirit of Christmas 2025
1,514 children and youth, every list wrapped
GivenDec 2025

Cocktails for a Cause Gala
450+ guests, more than double the year before
Our event2026

Gestamp wrap team
A reserved slot, a table of lists, a shift
Hosted for usDec 2025

Night at the Races
200+ guests in derby hats
Our eventMay 2026

Charity Golf Classic
154 golfers for Hats Off to Grads
Our eventJun 2026

Hats Off to Grads 2026
Stocked tubs for more than 50 graduates
GivenJun 2026

Kaizen Financial
The whole office, in matching green
Hosted for usDec 2025

Masquerade for a Mission
Palazzo Grande, with keynote Manuel Padilla, who grew up in care
Our eventOct 2026

Homecoming & Prom shop
New dresses and suits, free, three days in August
GivenAug 2026

Dueling pianos
Illusionist, caricaturist, cigar bar and a strolling dinner
Our eventGala 2026

Best dressed, Derby Night
Friendly wagering and heartfelt purpose at Fern Hill
Our eventMay 2026

Our hosts, Joe and Theresa
Masquerade for a Mission, emceed by Screamin' Scott Randall
Our eventOct 2026

Pickup day
Tubs, certificates and a send-off for the class of 2026
GivenJun 2026

Sorting day
Every list shopped, sized and staged before the wrappers arrive
GivenNov 2025

Wrap season
1,000+ volunteers and donors, November to December 20
Our eventEvery year
Give
Their own five levels. Pick one, see what it does, pay by card right here.

Spirit of Christmas
$250
A Christmas wish list
Helps fulfill a child's Christmas wish list: three wishes, plus PJs, a hoodie, toiletries, a hat and gloves.
The year

November to December 20
Every child's list, three wishes plus the basics, bought new and wrapped by hand. Last year 1,514 children and youth, and more than 1,000 volunteers and donors.

Any day, within 24 hours
A child removed from home often leaves with nothing. Clothes, shoes, pajamas, a hygiene kit and a comfort baby, usually within a day of the call.

April to June
A storage tub of school supplies and first-apartment essentials for every graduate, and up to three scholarships a year. 2,421 graduates so far.

August, and before prom
Teens in care shop new dresses and suits for free at the center, with hair, makeup and a ride covered by sponsors.
Volunteer

An office or team · group size 12 to 16
Groups of 12 to 16 get a reserved wrap slot between November and December 20, a table of lists, and a photo for the company page. Gestamp and Kaizen Financial came last year.
Host a fundraiser
Five-minute application. We send the logo, a flyer and your own fundraising page.

The promise
“For the second year in a row, not one child on her caseload had received a Christmas gift.”
New Year's Day 2006. Theresa Toia's daughter, a caseworker, said it at the kitchen table. That year Theresa and her friends bought Christmas for 47 foster children. Twenty Christmases later it is 1,514 a year, a warehouse on Celeste Drive, graduation tubs, prom dresses, mentors, and a board that still serves without pay. Theresa still takes kids shopping herself.
Given by neighbors
First State Bank
Delta Dental
Lombardo
Burke Mechanical
Foresite Design
Nutt & Nutt Investment Planners
Shelving Inc.
St Thomas Community Presbyterian Church
All County Tethers
Bruce & Cathy Morris
Waltonen Engineering
Huron Capital Partners
Christian Financial Credit Union
Genisys Credit Union
The Detroit Shoppe at Somerset
Bochenek Wealth Management
Warner Norcross + Judd
Steakhouse 22
Plan IVMichigan Medical Consultants4.9 on Google
I have organized collection efforts (mostly for tangible items and sometimes just money) and feel good knowing they are going to local young people who have had a tough situation that is out of their control. Directly giving toys, clothing, and school supplies means that 100% of my donation is going to those who have less than I do. I've been to both the former and current location and the warehouse is bustling with volunteers who organize the specific items that are outlined on their site as "requested." Sometimes, around prom season or holidays, I like to check out their Amazon wishlist online and send a little something real quick, even if it's just $10.
Friends of Foster Kids is an incredible organization that truly makes a difference in the lives of children and young adults experiencing foster care. Our family and business have had the privilege of supporting them through sponsoring golf outings and providing graduation gifts, and we've seen firsthand the impact they have on the community. What I love most is that they don't just support children while they're in foster care—they continue to walk alongside them as they transition into adulthood after aging out of the system. That kind of long-term commitment is rare and so needed. The team genuinely cares, is incredibly passionate, and uses every opportunity to make foster youth feel seen, valued, and supported. If you're looking for an organization to volunteer with, donate to, or partner with, I can't recommend Friends of Foster Kids enough. They are changing lives every single day.
I started volunteering in the fall of 2025 at a recommendation from 2 of my friends who are heavily involved with FOFK organization. I saw the impact this organization and all the volunteers have on all the kids. I volunteered for the Christmas season wrapping and organizing gifts for 1500 foster kids. It was amazing, it was rewarding, giving back, making friends with other volunteers, seeing how well this organization is run and all they do throughout the year. It's not a one and done organization. They do amazing work all year round. And people donate all year and part of all the charity events. It's the best organization I have found to volunteer at. 🫂🩷🙌
Great organization devoted to helping the too-often-forgotten kids in the foster care system. They have many events during the year that help foster kids. I have volunteered with FOFK for 5 years and can't wait for this Christmas season!
Heart of gold from so many to make a difference in the life of so many children. Anything ever dropped off is so appreciated from tape, wrapping paper all the way to a bike!!! Keep up the hard work earning your wings.
Where we serve
The center is at 51341 Celeste Dr, Shelby Township, MI 48315, north of 23 Mile and one block east of Schoenherr. Drop-offs: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11 am to 2 pm; Tuesday and Thursday 10 am to 4 pm.
501(c)(3) nonprofit · EIN 26-3886394 · 51341 Celeste Dr, Shelby Township, MI 48315