Every child in foster care,remembered.

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

1,514
children given Christmas in 2025
811,962
gifts wrapped since 2006
2,421
graduates sent off with a tub
24 hrs
to clothe a child entering care

Receipts from twenty Christmases.

Our eventHosted for usGiven
Spirit of Christmas 2025

Spirit of Christmas 2025

1,514 children and youth, every list wrapped

GivenDec 2025

Cocktails for a Cause Gala

Cocktails for a Cause Gala

450+ guests, more than double the year before

Our event2026

Gestamp wrap team

Gestamp wrap team

A reserved slot, a table of lists, a shift

Hosted for usDec 2025

Night at the Races

Night at the Races

200+ guests in derby hats

Our eventMay 2026

Charity Golf Classic

Charity Golf Classic

154 golfers for Hats Off to Grads

Our eventJun 2026

Hats Off to Grads 2026

Hats Off to Grads 2026

Stocked tubs for more than 50 graduates

GivenJun 2026

Kaizen Financial

Kaizen Financial

The whole office, in matching green

Hosted for usDec 2025

Masquerade for a Mission

Masquerade for a Mission

Palazzo Grande, with keynote Manuel Padilla, who grew up in care

Our eventOct 2026

Homecoming & Prom shop

Homecoming & Prom shop

New dresses and suits, free, three days in August

GivenAug 2026

Dueling pianos

Dueling pianos

Illusionist, caricaturist, cigar bar and a strolling dinner

Our eventGala 2026

Best dressed, Derby Night

Best dressed, Derby Night

Friendly wagering and heartfelt purpose at Fern Hill

Our eventMay 2026

Our hosts, Joe and Theresa

Our hosts, Joe and Theresa

Masquerade for a Mission, emceed by Screamin' Scott Randall

Our eventOct 2026

Pickup day

Pickup day

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

GivenJun 2026

Sorting day

Sorting day

Every list shopped, sized and staged before the wrappers arrive

GivenNov 2025

Wrap season

Wrap season

1,000+ volunteers and donors, November to December 20

Our eventEvery year

Spirit of Christmas 2025

Spirit of Christmas 2025

1,514 children and youth, every list wrapped

GivenDec 2025

Cocktails for a Cause Gala

Cocktails for a Cause Gala

450+ guests, more than double the year before

Our event2026

Gestamp wrap team

Gestamp wrap team

A reserved slot, a table of lists, a shift

Hosted for usDec 2025

Night at the Races

Night at the Races

200+ guests in derby hats

Our eventMay 2026

Charity Golf Classic

Charity Golf Classic

154 golfers for Hats Off to Grads

Our eventJun 2026

Hats Off to Grads 2026

Hats Off to Grads 2026

Stocked tubs for more than 50 graduates

GivenJun 2026

Kaizen Financial

Kaizen Financial

The whole office, in matching green

Hosted for usDec 2025

Masquerade for a Mission

Masquerade for a Mission

Palazzo Grande, with keynote Manuel Padilla, who grew up in care

Our eventOct 2026

Homecoming & Prom shop

Homecoming & Prom shop

New dresses and suits, free, three days in August

GivenAug 2026

Dueling pianos

Dueling pianos

Illusionist, caricaturist, cigar bar and a strolling dinner

Our eventGala 2026

Best dressed, Derby Night

Best dressed, Derby Night

Friendly wagering and heartfelt purpose at Fern Hill

Our eventMay 2026

Our hosts, Joe and Theresa

Our hosts, Joe and Theresa

Masquerade for a Mission, emceed by Screamin' Scott Randall

Our eventOct 2026

Pickup day

Pickup day

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

GivenJun 2026

Sorting day

Sorting day

Every list shopped, sized and staged before the wrappers arrive

GivenNov 2025

Wrap season

Wrap season

1,000+ volunteers and donors, November to December 20

Our eventEvery year

Give

What your gift becomes.

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.

Card form opens here · 501(c)(3) · receipt by email

The year

Christmas is the headline. The other eleven months are the work.

All five programs →
Spirit of Christmas

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.

Emergency Response

Any day, within 24 hours

Emergency Response

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.

Hats Off to Grads

April to June

Hats Off to Grads

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.

Homecoming & Prom

August, and before prom

Homecoming & Prom

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

Volunteer

Come wrap with us. Who are you coming as?

An office or team · group size 12 to 16

Bring the whole team. We hold the room.

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.

  • Tape to fit desktop dispensers
  • Rolls of wrapping paper
  • A group wish list, if you like

Reserve a team slot

Wrap season: November to December 20. Spring grad tubs: April to June.

Or email SpiritofChristmas@friendsoffosterkids.org

Host a fundraiser

Bake sale, brewery night or office challenge: raise it your way.

Five-minute application. We send the logo, a flyer and your own fundraising page.

Theresa Toia, founder of Friends of Foster Kids, at the prom dress shop

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 BankFirst State BankDelta DentalDelta DentalLombardoLombardoBurke MechanicalBurke MechanicalForesite DesignForesite DesignNutt & Nutt Investment PlannersNutt & Nutt Investment PlannersShelving Inc.Shelving Inc.St Thomas Community Presbyterian ChurchSt Thomas Community Presbyterian ChurchAll County TethersAll County TethersBruce & Cathy MorrisBruce & Cathy MorrisWaltonen EngineeringWaltonen EngineeringHuron Capital PartnersHuron Capital PartnersChristian Financial Credit UnionChristian Financial Credit UnionGenisys Credit UnionGenisys Credit UnionThe Detroit Shoppe at SomersetThe Detroit Shoppe at SomersetBochenek Wealth ManagementBochenek Wealth ManagementWarner Norcross + JuddWarner Norcross + JuddSteakhouse 22Steakhouse 22Plan IVPlan IVMichigan Medical Consultants

4.9 on Google

Volunteers, donors and sponsors, in their words.

4.9
21 Google reviews
Nina Jacks
3 months ago · 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.
Erica Kral
3 months ago · Google
★★★★★
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.
Marie Grace Brabandt
3 months ago · Google
★★★★★
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. 🫂🩷🙌
Rallycatt K
3 months ago · Google
★★★★★
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!
Stephanie Dobson
3 months ago · Google
★★★★★
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

Three counties, from one center in Shelby Township.

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.

Macomb CountyOakland CountyWayne CountyShelby TownshipSterling HeightsRochesterTroyDetroit

Be a part. Touch a heart.

501(c)(3) nonprofit · EIN 26-3886394 · 51341 Celeste Dr, Shelby Township, MI 48315