Fostering hope through holiday cheer

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- Since the age of 16, Mike Farah has been donating

his time and energy to those who need it most.

He helped actor Danny Thomas raise funds for St. Jude’s Hospital. He

works with Toys for Tots every year distributing goods across the county.

However, Farah’s primary objective is lending a hand to a group that

sometimes is overlooked during the holiday season -- foster families.

On Sunday, Farah and a group of volunteers packed boxes full of toys,

food and hygiene products for more than 100 foster homes and abused

womens’ shelters. Although his group, Celebrity Foundation for Children,

works nearly every day of the year to provide assistance for foster

homes, it’s the Christmas season where Farah’s star really shines.

“I think there isn’t much attention paid to foster parents and children,”

he said. “When we are able to give them supplies, we are not only helping

a child but also the family. We try to strengthen that family.”

The outreach that Farah’s organization does is truly tremendous

considering it is operated nearly expense free. Everyone volunteers their

time and the only costs are accounting and transportation.

Farah works every day of the week. On Sunday, he awoke at 6 a.m. after

spending most of the prior day distributing bed linens and pillows to

those same foster homes.

But there he was with about 50 volunteers -- children and adults alike --

in front of The Cannery Restaurant Sunday morning.

There were rows of cardboard boxes lined up like an Army platoon at roll

call. The cacophony of packaging tape shrieked as boxes were sealed.

Volunteers loaded the stacks into a rented tour bus and two U-Hauls that

delivered the goods to destinations around the county.

Each foster home received three boxes of food, six boxes of toys and

another two of toiletries. In all, there were 2,000 toys waiting to be

opened when Christmas rolls around Saturday.

“What is amazing is the fact so many people need help this time of year,”

said volunteer Carole Goson, who was loading boxes with her husband. “If

we can spread a little cheer to some of them, it’s definitely worth it.”

The foundation, which was started by Farah, also ensures foster families

get supplies when children have birthdays or they have accomplished

something special -- in or out of school.

Farah said it’s great that so many organizations help out during the

holiday season, but he wonders what the impact would be if it happened

365 days a year.

“I know we want to give enough toys and food throughout the year,” he

said. “Our volunteers get as much out of this as the kids do.”