Dec. 24—AUSTIN — First Lady Cecilia Abbott on Tuesday celebrated the generosity of Texans serving Texans as more than 5,300 wish lists from Texas children in foster care were filled thanks to donations from state agency employees in this year’s Holiday Wishes program. The annual Holiday Wishes program, coordinated by the nonprofit Partnerships for Children, is sponsored by the Governor’s Commission for Women and the State Agency Council and ensures children in foster care in 31 counties in Central and South Central Texas have gifts that they can open on Christmas morning.
“Every child deserves to know the promise of hope and the joy that Christmas brings,” said First Lady Abbott. “There is no better example of Texans helping Texans than providing support to Texas foster and adoptive families during the holidays. This starts with a Network of Nurture – a community of individuals, families, friends, local leaders, nonprofits, businesses, faith community members and anyone willing to open their hands, hearts or homes to the children and families in the state’s child welfare system. “I thank the Governor’s Commission for Women, the State Agency Council, Partnerships for Children and staff from the 56 participating state agencies who generously donated coveted gifts for our children in foster care.”
The First Lady recently hosted members of the Governor’s Commission for Women and the State Agency Council at the Governor’s Mansion to celebrate the success of the Holiday Wishes program and to prepare gift bags for first responders serving children in foster care in the Central Texas region to support.
The Governor’s Commission for Women has served as a resource and advocate for women across Texas for more than 50 years. Its mission is to provide access to the resources and tools that empower and enable women and girls in Texas to live healthier, more productive, and more prosperous lives.
The State Agency Council provides support to the Commission and professional development training to its members. The Council also presents the Outstanding Women in Texas Government Awards.
Partnerships for Children was founded in 2003 in Central Texas. Its mission is to make tomorrow better than today by supporting and empowering children, youth and families involved in child welfare in Texas.
