The 31st Annual Holiday Cottage Grand Opening Celebration gives presents to Kern County foster kids and accepts contributions from local stores who help build the cottage, and gives the furniture inside to a foster child. Project Manager, Heidi Carter says the donations are proof of the community’s generosity. Volunteers representing local community groups greet the public as they enter the cottage during the holiday season and eventually deliver unwrapped presents to foster children. Residents who want to fulfill a child’s gift wish can stop by the Holiday Cottage 10 am. to 7 pm seven days a week until December 11th. Kern County currently has 2000 children in foster care, with many in extended foster care as they attend college classes.
Every September, the Holiday Cottage sends out wish letters to the 2000 Kern County Foster kids and receive about 800 replies with gift requests. Project Manager, Heidi Carter says the community has generously given to foster children ranging from newborns to age 21. She adds that older kids request gifts to help with their education, such as a laptops and even barber tools.Their gift wishes line the cottage walls with paper trees that include the child’s name, age and two gift hopeful items.
The Holiday Cottage is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 7 pm. until December 11th at 2765 Calloway Drive.

Jill Michaels