Tan Orthodontics, located at 301 Cleveland St. in Woodland, is set to host its annual Yolo County CASA giving tree, a heartfelt initiative benefiting local foster children. Adorned with 79 personalized holiday ornaments, each ornament signifies a child’s specific gender, age, and a heartfelt wish.
Community members are encouraged to visit Tan Orthodontics to select an ornament from the giving tree and contribute by fulfilling the requested gift by Thursday, Dec. 14. This longstanding holiday tradition, aimed at making the season brighter for children under the care of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, has become a cornerstone of community generosity.
In the previous year, Tan Orthodontics, along with patients, staff, and the local community, fulfilled 82 wishes. This year, 79 wishes await fulfillment, and both Yolo CASA and Tan Orthodontics are relying on the community’s kindness to make these children’s holiday dreams come true.
Orthodontist Dr. Alan C. Tan expressed his pride in continuing this tradition, stating, “Tan Orthodontics is proud to continue to host the CASA giving tree again this holiday season. The immense support this program receives from our patients and community friends is truly amazing — many have made fulfilling these giving tree wishes an annual holiday tradition. With the large number of ornaments on the tree again this year, we’re counting on the continued generosity found in our local area to brighten the holidays for these children. These gifts bring immense happiness at a very difficult time in their life. We’re so grateful to all those who make it possible to fulfill every wish on the CASA tree.”
The Yolo County CASA executive director, Tracy Fauver, highlighted the significance of the program in the lives of foster children, stating, “From the moment a child is placed in foster care, their life is filled with uncertainty and choices are taken from them. Our CASA volunteers restore their voices and teach them that what they want does matter through highly trained advocates. The holiday season is a perfect time to illustrate that by empowering these children to go shopping with their advocates and pick something out of their very own. This is often one of the only items a foster child will shop for themselves.”
Fauver continued, “Our mission is to champion without compromise for what’s in the child’s best interest, and the special experiences the foster children get through the giving tree will turn into life-long memories. A simple wish translates into a slice of resiliency, independence, and joy this holiday season as these foster children grapple with uncertain futures and a new reality.”
