In late 2024, the Alameda County Foster Parent Association (ACFPA) was delighted to receive the LLNS Community Gift Program award of $5,000 for purchase of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) toys for foster children and their families.

The toys, ranging from building kits to interactive science experiments, were purchased by ACFPA with this grant with the goal of sparking a love for discovery and innovation in the children who would receive them. The STEM toys were distributed during the annual ACFPA Christmas event on December 7, where each of the 334 children-in-care and their Resource Families in attendance received a STEM gift. The children were able to select the STEM toys that caught their interest, aided by volunteers who were there to guide them through the exciting process of choosing and exploring new gifts.

The children picked out toys that sparked their imaginations, from robotic kits to solar-powered gadgets. For some, it was their first introduction to the world of STEM, and for others, it was a chance to explore a new passion that would help shape their future.

ACFPA would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to LLNS Community Gift Program for their generous award. Their support not only brightened the holidays for these children but also helped plant the seeds for future innovators, engineers, and scientists. Through this partnership, the future looks just a little brighter for the foster children of Alameda County, and for that, everyone involved is deeply grateful.