TOYS FOR KIDS EVERYWHERE: The Lady Banks Garden Club held their annual toy drive, donating the goods to Never Lost. (Submitted Photo)

THOMASVILLE- Never Lost, a local nonprofit organization that aids foster children, had its annual toy drive this Thursday and provided over 300 foster children with gifts under the tree. The Lady Banks Garden Club, City of Thomasville, and All Saint’s Episcopal Church are a few of the groups who donated to the cause, along with individuals in the community.

“I think it’s been tremendous. We have a great time, and the community gets involved and gets to be able to support those families and get behind it,” Wendy Greene, Never Lost’s Executive Director, said.

The Lady Banks Garden Club gathered together for the holiday season and conducted a toy drive.

“We have an annual Christmas get-together with our 30-plus members and we do an annual toy drive. We always give the toys to Never Lost” Allyson Delius, a Lady Banks Garden Club member, said.

The season of giving is a time for all to reflect on the year and give back to the community. Never Lost has created a way for locals in Thomasville and surrounding cities to contribute to a greater cause during the holidays. The non-profit gives back to all aspects of foster care.

“We also have a Compass Kids program that serves relative caregivers” Greene mentioned. Whether it is a distant relative, aunt, uncle, or grandparent taking care of the foster child, Never Lost makes it a priority to ensure all aspects of the child’s living needs are met.

Another sector of the organization, The Prevent Child Abuse South Georgia Council, presents Pictures on the Porch each year. Everyone in the community is welcome to attend the event and celebrate the Christmas season. Crafting an ornament and getting a picture with Santa are a few activities that can be enjoyed. This gives each child attending an opportunity to give back to their families.

The organization’s mission is more than simply contributing during the holiday season. The non-profit trains volunteers to become advocates for a child in foster care.

“Through courtroom advocacy and connection to community resources, we strengthen families and forever improve the home lives of children,” Green said.

Volunteers for Never Lost who are 21 years and older and are able to pass a background check can begin a 30-hour free training in February to be a part of the court-appointed special advocates program, CASA.

“We have children in foster care here who need an advocate and need a voice in juvenile court. That is what a CASA volunteer is able to give them,” Greene said.

The season of giving is contagious and can be experienced throughout the year when teaming up with Never Lost.