Photo: WonderfundMA.org
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — For children engaged with Department of Children and Families, the holidays can be a challenging time.
That's why former First Lady Lauren Baker, says she created the Wonderfund several years ago.
"The Wonderfund is a private nonprofit that serves every child engaged with the Department of Children and Families here in Massachusetts, which is our child welfare system," Baker said.
With the mission to bring comfort and dignity in traumatic situations, the Wonderfund aims to offer support and hope on their path to healing. Their goal this time of year is to give thousands of children some holiday magic.
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"The Wonderfund holiday gift drive has the goal of getting holiday gifts chosen specifically for 30,000 kids in every city and town across Massachusetts," Baker stated.
According to the organization, nearly 6,500 children in Massachusetts enter DCF in emergency situations often with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Wonderfund provides emergency essentials to 29 DCF offices including clothes, hygiene items, duffle bags and gift cards.
She's encouraging people to go to the Wonderfund website and sponsor the wish list of a child or teenager who might otherwise not see much under the tree.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Carl Stevens (@CarlWBZ) reports.