Being in foster care can be tough no matter the time of year; Christmas can be overwhelming.

Helping children in the foster-care system stay connected with families is a priority says Sandy Case, president of South Island Foster Parents Association. A foster parent for more than 18 years, Case is among the creators of the Foster ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Christmas Shopping Night on Tuesday.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of older children carry some guilt about being in foster care. When they can give their parents gifts they feel like they are telling their parents they havenB次元官网网址檛 forgotten about them,B次元官网网址� Case said.

Kids in the system can shop for new or gently used gifts.

B次元官网网址淲e do this to empower the children to still feel connected to their families. In most cases there are a lot of visits with their families,B次元官网网址� said Nicola MacKay, association treasurer. B次元官网网址淎 lot of the children havenB次元官网网址檛 had a real Christmas before. This enables them to learn what Christmas is actually about.B次元官网网址�

ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 eyes light up when they are able to purchase gifts for loved ones, MacKay said.

B次元官网网址淭hey hand me items saying B次元官网网址楬ide this from my sibling.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

The volunteer-run annual event relies on fundraising and donations.

The fourth annual Foster ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Christmas Shopping Night is Dec. 10 at West Shore Health Unit, 345 Wale Rd. from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Foster families from across Greater Victoria are encouraged to attend.

For more information or to donate gifts or wrapping supplies email case at slcase@shaw.ca.