Milton Foster Children's Fund

MFCF North Pole Event
The Milton Foster Children’s Fund North Pole Festival has been an annual event since 1977. In 1978, it was moved to The North Pole, which provided unlimited access to all rides for foster children and their foster families. Attracting approximately 700 participants each year, the event provides a day of fun and recreation for families that otherwise would not be possible. Through the years, local churches, private businesses, and community groups have donated food, money and volunteers for the event.
The North Pole is:    Home of Santa's Workshop
                               5050 Pikes Peak Hwy.
                               Cascade, CO 80809

Read the article below from the Colorado Springs Gazette, June 17, 2007:

Foster Kids Pack North Pole
By Linda Navarro

For 31 years, Christmas has come in springtime for the area's foster children.

On one day a year, Santa's Workshop at North Pole is solely foster kids' domain and owner Tom Haggard their host. On June 3, there were rides to ride, fried chicken to eat, animals to pet and families to enjoy.

Put on by the CASA Foster Children's Fund, the 31st annual Foster Children's Festival drew more than 750 people.

According to organizer Francis Toften, some 1,450 pieces of fried chicken, 16 gallons of baked beans and 700 pieces of corn on the cob were devoured.

Toften, a CASA advocate volunteer, took a break from administrative duties to be "kidnapped" by several youngsters, who took him on the umbrella ride and Tilt-A-Whirl.

"My stomach forgot how fun that is," he said, laughing.

Taking a break from rides were Jerolyn Combs and her adopted children, all former foster children: Janet, Kiaya, Christopher, Bryanna and Justin.

After the event, the Foster Children's Fund received thankyous, including one from a foster mother who has brought her foster children to enjoy the special day each year for 22 years.

Park owner Haggard was greeted by parents who had come to the festival first as foster children and returned to introduce their own children to him.

Foster children and their families or caregivers, current and previous, were all invited.

Sponsors of the festival included US Bank, Wells Fargo Insurance Services, KFC and Wal-Mart.

Volunteers included Paul Perea, MaryAnne Cooper, Theresa Krainz, Dick Milton, Mike and Karen Matkin, Robin and Steve Coen, Susan Krassy, Jane Hegstrom, Michelle Geng, Amanda Draper, Trudy Strewler and John McIlwee.

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