Seraaj Family Homes is a foster care agency providing an outstanding service to our community here in the Tennessee Valley.

BY JESSICA CHITWOOD / SPECIAL TO THE RECORD

Take a moment to remember your memories of Santa and all the joy he brings to Christmas.

Do you recall the anticipation of waiting to discover the presents under the Christmas tree?  Now, imagine if you live within the Foster Care system and your Christmas morning is full of uncertainty: “Will Santa find my foster home?” “Will I get any presents?” “Will I any of my gifts be fun?”   These are questions the children of the Seraaj Family Homes ask every year.  Through the generosity of the Real Housewives of Alabama, the answer to all of these questions is yes.

Seraaj Family Homes is a foster care agency providing an outstanding service to our community here in the Tennessee Valley.  Established in 1987, the Seraaj Family Home has and continues to make dramatic changes in the lives of thousands of children and families throughout Alabama, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska and Washington, DC.  Seraaj does their best to be sure no child falls through the cracks, but children are not raised on love alone. They also have basic needs that require money that is often in short supply.

That is where the Real Housewives of Alabama (RHoA) come in.  They are a local group of moms who are much more than mere housewives.  Most of the members are the group are Madison residents. “The RHoA is a fun, but hard working group that believes in giving back to their community,” said Theresa Wessels, owner of RHoA online message board. “For the past two holiday seasons, the RHoA sponsored more than 50 of Seraaj’s foster children to give them a Christmas they will always remember.”

The kids were not only given basic necessities but also fun items such as toys, bikes, and game systems.  The Seraaj kids that the RHoA provide Christmas for do not have a permanent placement; these gifts provided the children with a sense of permanency.  It may not sound like much, but to a kid that has been given very little, every little thing counts.

Last year’s toy drive was successful thanks to the members and families of the RHoA as well the corporate sponsors–Andy Johnson of Edward Jones and Lee Johnson of Ferguson Enterprises, a retail plumbing supply company.

By finding new sponsors, the RHoA hope to again provide all of Seraaj’s children with joyous memories of Santa that will last for years to come.  They plan to raise more money this year so that Christmas morning will be even more special for the children.  The RHoA is always on the lookout for more elves to help continue being Santa for Seraaj.

For more information, contact Theresa Wessels at (256) 783-1067 or by email at Therealhousewivesofalabama@yahoo.com .  The group’s web page is: Therealhousewivesofalabama.com.