Woman Provides $20K Worth of Gifts to Foster Kids for Christmas (Exclusive)

As a foster mother, Jeanne Marie Vallor has always made sure to make Christmas special for everyone living in her home. However, her thoughtful traditions don’t stop at her own doorstop. For the past seven years, Vallor has organized a foster care Christmas fundraiser that provides gifts for 100 kids in the system.

This year, she successfully endeavored to bring in $20,000 from her online community, some of whom sent their donations directly through Venmo, while others purchased gifts from an Amazon registry. Each item — whether it’s a toy, an item of clothing or an electronic device — was specifically requested by a child whose wish list found its way into Vallor’s possession this year.

The mom of six — four of whom joined her family through foster care — admits its not a quick or easy undertaking, since it “takes a lot of time to create the registries and sort through all the list and sort through all the gifts,” Vallor tells PEOPLE. “But I feel the backing of my community … People are amazing.”

The fitness coach says it’s “humbling” to see her social media followers — which total at over 3 million, between TikTok and Instagram — eagerly accept her donation invitation when she posts her annual fundraiser announcement.

“They jump at the opportunity,” she adds. “They’re trusting me to facilitate all of this, and I get to, so I’m very thankful.”

Her approach stands out among other ways people can provide for children in foster care, like the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. One of the biggest differences, Vallor notes, is that Angel Trees don’t always benefit kids currently in care, since foster parents have to sign up well in advance. If a child suddenly enters a home that isn’t able to provide presents, the caregivers may not be able to get on a wish list in time for Christmas.

Working out of her own home, which she turns into “Santa’s workshop” each season (and decorates accordingly), Vallor can allow a bit more deadline flexibility for recipients in traditional foster homes or group homes.

“I just got some wish lists today because we had 23 kids come into care today, so there would be no time for planning or prepping,” she explains. “This allows children to still receive Christmas regardless of situation or placement.”

With those less predictable conditions in mind, Vallor raises funds with a significant “buffer” worked in. Typically, the standard budget for each wish list item is $150, and her initial list contains individual requests from 100 kids. This year, she’ll have an extra $5,000 to accommodate any extenuating circumstances.

“You have the teenagers heading to college that are needing more, or the child whose only wish list item is a (PlayStation 5) or something very pricey. And we’ve never in seven years had to deny a wish because people are so generous,” says Vallor, who personally donates $5,000 of her own money.

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Once her home is full of wrapped gifts ready to be sent off, various organizations help with delivery. As a foster parent herself, Vallor’s knowledge and access put her in a prime position to play Santa.

“My husband took a load up today, and then we had a social worker come visit one of our children who’s in foster care, and she was able to take (gifts for) her (kids’) names,” Vallor explains. “It’s all just kind of who can come get it, when can they get it.”