ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County’s foster children will have a little help staying warm this winter.
Earlier this week, The Purcell Clinic delivered blankets to the Richmond County Department of Social Services.
The clinic, with offices in Rockingham and Laurinburg, was able to donate 300 blankets through its Share the Warmth blanket drive for foster children in Richmond and surrounding counties, according to Office Manager Kristin Terry.
“We wanted them to have something special that they could call their own and bring them comfort for the holidays,” Terry told the RO. “Our goal at The Purcell Clinic is to provide care to our community, meeting every child where they are.”
Last week, DSS received a monetary donation from the Richmond County Amateur Radio Club.
Deputy Director Theressa Smith said those funds will be used to help buy last-minute Christmas gifts for kids recently taken into foster care.
There are currently 98 children in DSS custody. That number is down from 110 in October.
Prior to the pandemic, the number of children in DSS custody averaged around 30 at any given time. By 2021, that number had jumped to more than 70. The past two years have seen more than 100.
A shortage in foster families has resulted in some children being housed at DSS until they can be placed. In 2022, DSS converted part of the breakroom and a storage room into a full bedroom and shower facility.
Also last week, DSS held a Christmas party — sponsored by several county commissioners — for the foster children at The Hive.
“We had a really good time,” Smith said.
