Each year, Sleep Country USA, collects gifts and toys for the region’s nearly 20,000 foster children who are separated from family and friends. Many children enter foster care just before the holidays with just the clothes on their back and aren’t guaranteed to wake up with a gift under the tree. Whether it’s a new baby doll, a Lego set, art supplies, or even a gift card, these gifts can mean the world to a foster child.
This year, the company is raising the bar on its efforts to capture donations during a season when many other charities are also seeking support to ensure no child wakes up without a gift. Sleep Country USA is hosting the “Be a Secret Santa Photo Contest” on its Facebook page to help boost awareness of this need and harness the power of social media to encourage and incentivize participation.
Entering the Be a Secret Santa Photo Contest is easy:
Starting November 12th and running through December 9th, individuals and businesses are encouraged to embrace the spirit of Santa and drop off donations of new, unwrapped gifts to any Sleep Country store. While in the store, donors should snap a photo of themselves playing Santa as they place their new, unwrapped toy in the Foster Kids bin and post their photo to the Be a Secret Santa Photo Contest on Sleep Country’s Facebook page. Participants will compete by getting friends and family to vote on their photos, and at the end of the contest, the photo with the most votes will win a new Kindle Fire HD, AND a pair of Santa’s favorite Tempur-Pedic slippers.
“Social media is an incredibly powerful tool for garnering community support and we’re excited that individuals will be further inspired to share their generous act with friends and family during this fun Sleep Country contest,” said Sharon Mooers, Regional Development Director PNW of Olive Crest. “For foster children who are placed in a new home during the holidays, waking up to receive a new gift or toy means that Santa was able to find them – even though they weren’t at home. The magical feeling of the holidays can make this incredibly difficult time a little easier for these children, and alleviates stress for foster families.”
Ready to get in the spirit of Saint Nick and be a Sleep Country Secret Santa? Drop off new unwrapped toys and gifts at any Sleep Country store, or donate online and Sleep Country’s holiday elves will do the shopping for you. You can even organize your local school, sports team, or business to rally behind the cause and Host-Your-Own-Drive.
Donate to the Sleep Country Secret Santa Toy Drive for Foster Kids November 5th through December 16th and remember that while “Not everyone can be a foster parent, anyone can help a foster child.” Happy Holidays!
Secret Santas! ‘Like’ Sleep Country on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sleepcountryusa
