Fostering traditions
Isle foster children and their parents enjoy a Christmas fest at the Blaisdell
With eight kids -- six of whom are fostered -- to feed, clothe and shelter, the Andrade household deliberates every expense. Hand-me-downs are a fact of life. And making sure Christmas is bountiful for the Andrade children can sometimes prove daunting.
But events like yesterday's Foster Family Programs of Hawaii annual Christmas party help, providing foster families with activities, presents, a free turkey dinner and some together time.
"We've been coming for three years," said J.R. Andrade with a wide smile. "It's a tradition."
More than 1,600 foster kids and their parents attended the party at the Blaisdell Center exhibition hall from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. yesterday, celebrating the holidays with face painting, caroling and games.
At the entrance to the hall, young children and teenagers alike gaped at a fat, 8-foot-tall Christmas tree standing a bit lopsided but liberally decorated with handmade and bought ornaments.
About noon, Santa made a visit.
"Christmas is a hard time," Foster Family President Linda Santos said. "It's a family time. When you're not with your family, it's harder."
On any given day, there are about 2,700 children in foster care in the islands. Santos said the need for foster parents is critical and getting worse. At least 300 more homes are needed to take in kids.
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Volunteers Myron Yamashita, left, Chelsey Hatori and Leinik Ayau busily prepared plates of turkey, stuffing, yams and cranberry sauce at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall yesterday morning.
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Outside the exhibition hall yesterday, three of Valerie and Curt Wheeler's foster children sported painted snowflakes on their cheeks as they spun around in circles with their arms extended.
The Mililani couple has 10 kids, nine of whom were adopted. The oldest, a Marine, is 18. The youngest is 1. "It's a lot of self-sacrifice," said Valerie Wheeler, who stays home to care for the youngest kids. "There's a lot of things we have to hold off on until another day."
Curt Wheeler, a paramedic, was adopted when he was 6 weeks old.
The couple said they always knew they would become foster parents. "You have to be dedicated," Wheeler said. "You can't just go into it and say, 'This thing is not for me.' It's a lifetime commitment."
As she put an arm around one of her foster daughter's shoulders, Valerie Wheeler added that she and her husband have the same dreams for their adopted children as they do for their biological one: that all of them will grow up to "become independent, successful" adults.
"I want them to be contributors to society," she said, her eyes welling up with tears.
Not far from the Wheelers, Andrade stood with his teenage nephew and laughed as they tried to remember all the ages of his biological and foster children. They couldn't.
Andrade's grandparents and parents took in foster kids for decades. He never doubted that he would carry on the family custom.
And he had some simple advice for new foster parents: Never give up. "They're going to try you," he said, "but keep at it."
The perseverance, he added, will pay off when you see them graduate, get a job or thank you for your dedication and love.
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Children and adults enjoyed getting their nails and hair done courtesy of Paul Mitchell Studios at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall yesterday morning, where about 2,500 foster kids and families received presents and dined on turkey.
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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
16-year-old Kevin Wheeler gave a sign of approval while enjoying a turkey dinner with his brothers, Nick, 13, left; Christopher, 5; and Ryan, 9.
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