Aspiranet and Starbucks Increase Support for Foster Children This Holiday Season

Online, November 23, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Aspiranet, one of the largest and most innovative foster care and family service agencies in California, invites residents in four California communities to participate in its annual Holiday Toy Drive.

From Nov. 19 - Dec. 17, Aspiranet is teaming up with the staff and customers at Starbucks stores in Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced and Visalia to collect holiday gifts for California foster children.

Customers visiting participating Starbucks stores are invited to obtain "wish ornaments" decorated with the holiday gift wishes of foster children, purchase the gifts and then return the items to Starbucks for distribution by Aspiranet to area foster children.

"The caring staffs at Starbucks stores motivate their customers to participate in our annual toy drives," said Vernon McFarland Brown, CEO of Aspiranet. "Thanks to widespread community participation and generosity, each year we are able to brighten the holidays for increasing numbers of foster children up and down the state."

"Successful foster families represent a team effort," notes Jeannie Imelio, Central Valley Regional Director of Aspiranet. "Not only do they require the participation and cooperation of foster children and their families, they benefit from the support of social service agencies, community organizations, corporate partners and community members. "

Since it began 35 years ago, Aspiranet has touched the lives of over 10,000 families and children. This is the 3rd year Aspiranet has teamed up with Starbucks for its holiday toy drive.

About Aspiranet
Aspiranet, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity, supports foster children, siblings, families, and the community with 35 core programs offering specialized services through 44 satellite centers within California.

Founded more than 35 years ago as a six-bed group home for young boys in Moss Beach, Calif., Aspiranet is one of the most diverse nonprofit social service agencies in the state. With a statewide network of innovative services, Aspiranet has touched the lives of over 10,000 families and children since its founding.

Aspiranet's vision of bringing families together and helping foster children, siblings, and parents thrive is realized through six areas of expertise - Family Services, Foster Care, Adoption, Education, Afterschool programs, and Community Partnerships. For more information, please visit http://www.aspiranet.org.