A Message from Wright County Health & Human Services

Wright County Health and Human Services brings holiday joy to child foster families each year with an annual holiday party. This tradition began back in 2007 with a small gathering in the lobby of the Human Services Center in Buffalo. The original party was the idea of Wright County social workers who hosted the event and included some Christmas crafts, cookies, and a visit with Santa. The event was a huge hit with foster families and became an annual tradition. The party quickly outgrew the agency lobby within the first couple of years. The annual event was moved to a large room at Bison Creek restaurant in Buffalo and included dinner, gifts from Santa, music by Buffalo Community Orchestra, Christmas cookie decorating and other Christmas crafts. After a few years at that location, the event again outgrew the space and was moved to a large ballroom at River City Extreme in Monticello. Over the years, foster families and children in foster care have been blessed by the generosity of community sponsors including: Annandale Girl Scouts, Little Learners Child Care, Buffalo Community Orchestra, Buffalo Cub, Marketplace of Annandale, MN Vikings, and many others.  

This year due to the pandemic, Wright County Health and Human Services staff knew that the party could not go on as usual. However, members of the Licensing and Therapeutic Services team began to brainstorm creative ways that they could safely bring holiday joy to child foster families even without the annual large gathering. The team decided that they would deliver the party to each family. A large conference room at the Human Services Center turned into Santa’s workshop as staff quickly sorted, wrapped, and double checked wish lists to ensure that each child got what they asked for from Santa.  This past week, Licensing and Therapeutic Services staff delivered holiday joy to participating foster families with the delivery of gifts from Santa, gingerbread house kits, and Papa Murphy’s gift cards.  Children greeted the elves upon arrival or arrived home to find beautifully wrapped gifts from Santa on their porch. The Licensing and Therapeutic Services team thanks this year’s event sponsors: Friends 4 A Cause, Little Learners Child Care of Annandale, and The Forgotten Initiative. Wright County Health and Human Services also wants to thank our foster care providers for the amazing things they do every day to make a difference!