"I hate my life because I have no family. No one cares about me and I have to do things for myself. Now I have to live with people I don't even know." Samuel wrote these thoughts because he felt so alone and felt no one in the world cared about him. Just imagine what it would be like to live every day of your life in an environment of abuse and neglect - where your basic needs were not provided - where you lived in fear of being hit - where you wondered what tomorrow might bring, even if there would be a tomorrow. Fortunately, most of us do not ever have this experience, but it is a harsh reality for some children in the Lubbock area.

Foster*A*Life (IRS # 20-1336607) has helped foster children obtain services and opportunities they would not have if not for your generosity. Foster*A*Life has expanded their services to all children who are currently involved with Texas DFPS as well as those who received services previously. Your sponsorship will help children in the Lubbock area to have a dream come true or to receive special services. Prom dresses, playing on a baseball team, going to sports camps and taking gymnastic lessons have all been possible! Our organization is growing as are the needs of these “forgotten children”. A major program is “JOURNEY GEAR”, that provides suitcases that will help move the children’s possessions so that trash bags do not have to be used. We feel these children deserve some dignity during this trying time. Another project is the “HAPPY BIRTHDAY PROGRAM”. We found that many of these children never had anyone to make them feel special on their important day so Foster*A*Life will provide this celebration for a child. A great program is “KIDS ART JOURNEY”. The mission of the “KIDS ART JOURNEY” project is to promote the arts to these children and to “discover” talent that can be nurtured. An art contest allows the children to draw whatever they want. Some of the pieces will be displayed at the First Friday Art Trail in June 2024 and we will have fantastic masterpieces! Another program is “PROM EXPO”, provides the prom necessities including dresses, accessories and shoes for such a special night! Progress has been made with our major project. It is the “ANCHORS” project, which focuses on promoting more foster placements and providing recognition to those who deal with these abused children on a daily basis. It is also a program that helps children who have been adopted and need continued support. Another program is “PRESTON’S PURPOSE”. Preston represents all the foster children whose lives were cut short and never had time to find their purpose in life. This project will provide funds for former foster youth to pursue their education or lending them a hand for a special need. Our newest program, “HOPE CHEST”, provides basic household needs for children who have graduated from high school. 2024 is Foster*A*Life’s 20th year to provide services to these very special children!!

In order to obtain funding, Foster*A*Life will host the 19th Annual Hub City Beach Party. The Hub City Beach Party has been extremely successful and it continues to entertain hundreds! The ever popular Landsharks will return to headline the event. This band has played for our event every year and they continually put on a fantastic show. If you have attended this event, you were able to see Lubbock’s only beach complete with sand, water, beach umbrellas and sharks! We will continue to provide delicious food! We are hopeful your business will participate by being one of the sponsors for the event. A special sponsor event will be held on THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024 at the MANHATTAN 9 BAR located at Stella’s. There will be drinks for purchase plus hors d’oeuvres just for the sponsors. You can pick up your Sponsor Bucket at that time; however, if a representative is not able to come to the sponsor event, the Sponsor Bucket will be delivered the week before the Beach Party. The main event will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Enclosed is information regarding the event. With your help, we can play a big role in helping these children put their lives back together so that they can begin the business of being a child and leave behind a life of neglect. What may seem so small to us might be the one thing that lets a child know that he or she is loved, respected and important. We want the child to know that there is a brighter tomorrow because there are people who care and we want the child to see a world of opportunity ahead. You can help make this happen through your generosity. One hundred percent of the money that is raised will stay right here in the Lubbock area to help these children make their dreams a reality.