In an exceptional atmosphere of joy, mutual kindness and integration, on May 30 this year the 10th Anniversary Integration Picnic for Foster Families and children in the care of Bolesławiec children’s homes was held. Among the guests present at the picnic were representatives of local-government and state authorities: Deputy Starost of Bolesławiec County Patryk Hałka, Chair of the Bolesławiec County Council Maciej Małkowski together with councillors of the Bolesławiec County Council, and the guest of honour, Senator of the Republic of Poland Waldemar Witkowski. Friends of foster families, representatives of institutions and organisations, sponsors, and all those whose activities and commitment support children and foster families in our county were also present.
This year’s picnic was special because it was the tenth edition of an event that has permanently entered the calendar of joint gatherings for foster families and people involved in developing foster care. It was also an opportunity to extend wishes to foster families on Foster Care Day, observed on May 30, as well as to spend time together, build relationships and thank foster families for their daily care, commitment and enormous heart devoted to raising children.
The ceremony highlighted the importance of family-based foster care for children in need of safety, stability and love. There are currently 172 foster families in Bolesławiec County, while 356 children are in family-based and institutional foster care. The organisers also encouraged people interested in helping children to consider becoming foster parents.
The programme included artistic performances prepared by young performers from MDK and BOK, games and activities for children, the announcement of the results of the art competition entitled “A Space Journey or an Underwater World,” together with the presentation of prizes, as well as numerous attractions prepared by the event’s partners and sponsors. The raffle was also very popular, culminating in a draw for valuable prizes.
Words of recognition and thanks were addressed to professional foster families, those running family children’s homes, and all people and institutions supporting foster care. There were also wishes on Foster Care Day and moving thanks for the daily care, safety and love shown to the children.
The organisers stressed that the picnic’s purpose is not only to have fun together, but above all to promote foster care, integrate the foster-family community and build public awareness of the needs of children in foster care.
At the end of the event, the words of the PCPR director were heard, best reflecting the nature of this gathering:
Thank you for being there.
It is thanks to foster families that children can grow up in an atmosphere of warmth, safety, understanding and love.
SPONSORS AND DONORS OF THE 10TH INTEGRATION PICNIC for foster families from Bolesławiec County and children in the care of Bolesławiec Children’s Homes
- Martyna and Filip Nawara with their parents
- GERRESHEIMER Bolesławiec S.A.
- Cedrowy Las
- Andrzej Michałek Z.H.U. Adys from Osiecznica
- FC BOLESŁAWIEC – Zagłębie Lubin supporters
- LEMC LOST SAINTS SOUTH-WEST Motorcycle Club of uniformed services
- Bolesławiec County Police Headquarters
- MEDENT Medical and Dental Centre
- SEBO – hair salon in Bolesławiec
- Tomasz Kopczyński – ZAMEK KLICZKÓW
- VENUS Shop – Eliza Olszacka
- GOBARTO S.A. Meat Wholesaler
- EUROCASH CASH & CARRY Wholesaler
- IMPORT – EXPORT MIROSŁAW SENESZYN Transport Company
- INTERMARCHÉ in Bolesławiec
- Waldemar Witkowski – Senator of the Republic of Poland
- Bolesławiec Women’s Association IN GREMIO, in particular: Agnieszka Michalczuk – councillor of Bolesławiec County, Urszula Magryś – councillor of Bolesławiec, Anna Szymańska – member
- Julia Lisiecka-Sarbak – councillor of Bolesławiec County
- Bolesławiec County councillor Tomasz Matyjewicz together with Katarzyna Matyjewicz
- Grzegorz Przybylski – councillor of Bolesławiec County
- Piotr Zauer
- Arkadiusz Szczęsny – reserve major pilot
- Radosław Palczewski – councillor of Bolesławiec County
- PONT – CAR limited liability company, Ławszowa – Krzysztof Broszko
- Lower Silesian Railways
- Bolesławiec Forest District
- MZGK in Bolesławiec
- CARITAS of the Diocese of Legnica
- WILLOWA STUDIO Beauty Salon
- TERMODER S.C
- Angelika Nebesna Haberdashery
- ESPA Foundation
- PRZYSTANEK RODZINA Foundation
- BARTPOL Cotton Candy Factory – Zdzisław Polak
- U SYLWI Catering – Beata Sylwia Pietrzakowska
- ORŁY POLSKIE National and European Personel Transport – Robert Pietrzakowski
- Artistic Ceramics of the Artistic Handicraft Cooperative in Bolesławiec
- Nozdryn – Płotniccy Bakery, general partnership, from Raciborowice Dolne
- ELECTROS Electrical Wholesaler from Bolesławiec
- Wykroty village head – Daniel Okrzyński
- PHU MARSZAŁEK Food Wholesaler
- Agata Nikodem- FOREMKA
- Piotr Koza – Koza’s Apiary
- Volunteer Fire Brigade from Brzeźnik
- Grzegorz Klementowski
- MW Tailoring Workshop Małgorzata Walera
- Michał Szwed and Dawid Ramski
- Carmellova Sweets Workshop
- Anonymous Sponsors – 3 people
The artistic programme was provided by: the Oriental Dance Workshop from BOK under the direction of Idalia Kowary-Schmidt and the MDK Vocal Group under the direction of Marek Łętowski.