Part of our mission at The Salem Convention Center is to promote and support the Salem, Oregon community. We are always looking for ways to give back to the community that has given us so much, whether it's donating food to organizations that provide support for the homeless, supporting the local arts or helping to plan and promote events that benefit countless local charities. We're grateful for our many wonderful community partnerships, and this holiday season, we are especially proud to be a community partner with Marion Polk Foster Parent Association. The Marion Polk Foster Parent Association is dedicated to supporting local families who are caring for foster children. In addition, they work to promote and grow the foster parenting community in our area. The organization offers resources and a support system that enables foster/adopt parents to meet special needs of the children in their care. Members of the organization receive liaison services, birthday gifts, graduation assistance, mini scholarships, clothing closet access and much more. The organization also recognizes that many of the children have suffered from abuse and neglect, and sadly not all of them will find much under the tree at home this Christmas. We are determined to help fulfill wishes for foster and adoptive children through our giving tree. Our 'Tree of Joy' is one of approximately 100+ giving trees and toy barrels around the community that collect gifts for foster children in Marion and Polk counties. Want to help? Look for the tree in our lobby, choose a tag with gift requests from the children, and bring the toy(s) back by December 13th. It is a privilege to help make the holidays a little brighter for local children who are in the care of foster homes.
