How can you help Las Vegas’ 3000 foster children?

You are about to tie the knot and say “I Do” In the coming years you will be setting up home, maybe considering children, or Foster Children. Shining Star Community Services Las Vegas is a foster care agency in Las Vegas. Currently there are about 3,000 children without homes in Nevada. Shining Star is currently looking for patient and dedicated people to provide a safe and stable home environment for youth who are not able to live with their biological families. If you are unable to open your home to a child there are still many ways to get involved!

Bridal Spectacular is partnering with Shining Star Community Services to bring awareness to the foster care system in Vegas and how you can be involved. We are going to be collecting new and gently used items for foster children leading up to and at the January 2023 Bridal Spectacular Wedding Expo. The items collected will be donated to Peggy’s Attic at Child Haven and The Lovewell Center.

What can I donate to help a Las Vegas Foster Child?

We will be collecting all sorts of new and gently used items! Bring them to Friar Tux or Silhouette Bridal (Drop Off Days detailed below) before or to the Bridal Spectacular on January 13-14, 2023 to receive a gift bag with 1 free ticket to the Bridal Spectacular and other promotions. Here are some recommended items to donate for a Las Vegas Foster Child.

Clothing

• Tops for Elementary and Teen Girls (Long & Short Sleeve): All Sizes
• Shirts for Elementary and Teen Boys (Long & Short Sleeve): All Sizes
• Pants/Jeans for Elementary and Teen Girls:  All Sizes
• Pants/Jeans for Elementary and Teen Boys:  All Sizes
• Tennis Shoes for Teen Girls  Women’s Sizes: 6.5 through 9.5
• Tennis Shoes for Teen Boys   Men’s Sizes:  7 through 12
• Tennis Shoes for Girls Sizes: 6 through 13.5
• Tennis Shoes for Boys Sizes: 6 through 13.5
• Boys and Girls Socks and Underwear: All Sizes
• School Uniforms
• Pajamas: Boys and Girls – All sizes   

Toys

• Cars and Trucks
• Action Figures
• Puzzles
• Nerf Balls/Rockets
• Books
• Balls
• Board Games
• Building Blocks
• Dolls & Accessories
• Outdoor Toys – Hula Hoops, Skateboards, Scooters, Lawn Games, etc.
• Learning & Literacy Toys

 Arts & Crafts

• Arts & Crafts Kits
• Crayons & Markers
• Craft paper
• Coloring Books
• School Supplies – Notebooks, Lined Paper, Pens, Pencils, etc.

 Teens

• Electronics – Portable DVD Players, CD players, iPods/MP3 players,
• Digital Cameras
• Gift Cards – Target, Walmart, iTunes
• Hygiene Items – Brushes & Combs, Deodorant, Perfumes & Cologne
• We also accept monetary and gift card donations to assist our mission of helping the most vulnerable children of Clark County.

Hygiene supplies (NEW AND UNOPENED ONLY)

• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Hair care products, brushes and combs
• Makeup
• Deodorant
• Skincare products
• Kids shampoo and body wash

Where Do I take my Donations?

We have three convenient drop off locations for you. Two will be open starting December 3rd and ending January 11th. The other location is to drop them off at the Bridal Show on January 13 & 14th. Store hours are listed below. Holidays may affect the normal store hours.

How Can I become a Foster Parent?

Are you interested in becoming a foster care parent? Shining Star Community Services is here to support you every step of the way. Or do you have a friend of family member who may be interested? Send them our way!

Click here for more info or contact Asante Matthews by email or phone 702.592.3790

How can I advocate for Foster Children

Want to Advocate for these special children? Become a CASA Volunteer  The mission of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program is to support and promote court appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in a safe, permanent home. Help a Las Vegas Foster Child today!

To achieve this mission, the CASA program recruits, screens, trains and supervises volunteers, who are appointed by a Judge to represent the best interest of abused and neglected children. Our highly trained, court appointed volunteers are responsible for making recommendations to the court about the safety, permanence and well-being of their assigned child(ren).

CASA volunteers advocate on behalf of their child(ren)’s physical, educational, medical, emotional and social needs. CASA volunteers research information and talk to everyone involved in the children’s lives. CASA volunteers have contact with social workers, attorneys, parents, teachers, family members, foster parents, health professionals and, of course, the children themselves.

Please contact us if you are interested in becoming foster parents. All healthy and loving families or singles over the age of 21 with a child safe home can be considered for licensing and home placement. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.