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Santa’s Shop opens to give El Paso Co. foster kids a jolly Christmas

Volunteers sorting clothes at the CASA Santa's Shop at 418 S Weber St.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- CASA’s Santa Shop is officially open Tuesday, giving Court Appointed Special Advocates a chance to pick out presents for their paired foster kids this holiday season.

CASA is a national organization that supports court appointed advocates for abused or neglected children, in order to provide them with a safe and healthy environment in permanent homes.

Santa’s Shop -- located at the CASA office at 418 South Weber Street -- features hundreds of free, brand new toys and other items donated by community members in the Pikes Peak Region.

The advocates say the giving season can be tough on the kids.

“Instead of feeling warm and happy, the holidays can bring up a lot of grief and sadness as they see what they’ve always wanted but maybe can’t have,” said Keri Kahn.

That’s why a room full of toys, clothes, and the necessities is more than they could ever ask for.

Karen Hilborn has been organizing santa’s shop for nearly 30 years - and she’s an advocate herself.

“I think it’s one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities in town,” Karen said.

Her job is to make sure nothing slips between the cracks -- when it comes to the two children she’s been paired with.

She visits them at school, plays with them after, and talks to their care-takers.

Her favorite part, is getting to know their adorable personalities.

“Both of my CASA kids are just a hoot. The little boy is so bright and he’s got an imagination that never ends,” Karen said. “The little girl is much quieter but she always jumps up and has a book she wants to read.”

The average number of children in foster situations in el paso county goes up every year.

On any given day, approximately 333 children were in foster situations in 2018, according to the Colorado Department of Human Services.

Karen says it’s important to make sure those kids get something shiny and new under the tree.

“We kind of feel like gently used things are not new things and these kids have often had used things all their lives," she said. "So, we want to make sure that they’re pulling the wrappers off and taking the tags off.”

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