Delivering Holiday Spirit to Foster Families
Lil Larry the Pony Elf delivered holiday spirit to foster families this December with the help of Mr and Mrs Claus.
By Delores Kuhlwein
This year’s event was held at the Allegan County DHHS Building on December 10, 2022.
Minae Kroeze, one of our regular EC writers, works full-time as a foster home licensing specialist for the State of Michigan. She explains they host a holiday party each year for their foster families, complete with gifts, crafts, cookie decorating, a hot cocoa bar, and pictures with Santa and Lil Larry.
“My parents Greg and Renee are Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and Larry is our pony,” Minae explains. “There is so much need for foster parents everywhere, so we love to do special things for the ones we have!”
She says they started bringing Lil Larry to their Foster Home Holiday event in 2020, when they were forced to turn our holiday party into a Holiday Drive Thru due to COVID. “We wanted to still provide something fun and exciting for our families, and you can’t help but look at the scruffy pony and smile. He was a hit and has been to several of our events since then including the 2021 and 2022 Holiday Party and our 2022 Community Trunk or Treat event.”
Minae started as a state caseworker in 2016, with the goal of becoming a positive light for children and parents that were experiencing one of the most difficult times in their life.
Lil Larry at the 2020 Holiday Drive Thru.
“When I started, I didn’t know what I was getting into, but the experiences I have gained through my job have shifted not only the way I look at the world, but the way my family and friends do as well!” she explains. “Three and a half years ago, I transitioned into a Foster Home Licensing worker. I love working with foster families. I love putting together special events and outings for families that go above and beyond for the children in their homes and I love building relationships with their entire family and community network.”
“A foster parent can be such a positive light for a child,” Minae says. She clarifies some misconceptions of the role, too. “Foster families do not have to be a two parent household and they don’t need a big house or fancy job; prospective foster parents just need to have a stable home and a lot of love to give.”
Lil Larry, Greg, and Renee in 2021.
She reveals that since the COVID pandemic, there has been a huge shortage of foster homes. “A quick Google search can point you to an agency nearby that can answer any questions and get you started on a journey that will be life changing for your family and for a child!”
