November 22, 2023December Toy Drive: Guardian ad Litem

Welcome back, loyal members! It’s me, Alyssa (your community connection), and I am back with an INCREDIBLE initiative to help jump-start your holiday spirit! 

Throughout December, PEFCU will be partnered with local Guardian ad Litem (GAL) organizations to host a gift donation drive at each of our branches. This drive will bring awareness and hope this holiday season to children in foster care who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected. Over 37,000 children were part of the Florida GAL program last year alone. With your help, we can restore their hope and give them something to look forward to under the tree. 

What is a “GAL” organization, you ask? The GAL organization is a multi-disciplinary team that includes an attorney, a child welfare professional, and ideally, a volunteer from the child’s community (Guardian ad Litem). Their main goal is to ensure every child finds a safe, loving, permanent home where they can thrive.  

GALs support the whole child by addressing the child’s physical, educational, mental, emotional, social, and legal needs. This easily aligns with PEFCU’s three primary focus areas: Education, Health, and Environment. 

You can help make this season a little brighter for them by donating a new and unwrapped gift to your local PEFCU branch through December 29.  

Each branch will be contributing to a local GAL organization, as shown in the list below:  

 

Altamonte Springs	Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc.
Jacksonville	Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Florida’s First Coast, Inc.
Lakeland	Speak Up for Children
Lawrenceville	Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Pembroke Pines	Voices For Children
Royal Palm Beach	Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County
Sarasota	Children’s Guardian Fund

 

The local GALs asked that our donations be geared more toward teenagers and young adults. Since they only get one gift each, items such as perfume or cologne, sports equipment, fuzzy blankets, gift cards, electronics, or makeup kits could make Christmas away from their family seem a little less lonely.  

Thank you in advance for your contributions. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from your PEFCU family!