Our story
Our story began when a boy named Craig wrote a letter to Santa Claus in December of 1976. That letter never got delivered to Santa's North Pole, but it did reach a restaurant in Seattle, Washington called Francisco’s.
The letter immediately captured the heart of Mr. Dick Francisco and the Forgotten Children's Fund was created to help others in similar situations. From that night in 1976, The Forgotten Children's Fund has grown into a group of dedicated volunteers who are determined to make Christmas a joyful day for those they can reach.
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, However, for many deserving children and their families, Christmas is the saddest time of the year.
In 1976 The Forgotten Children’s Fund brought a wonderful Christmas to 285 children in 81 families. This has grown to serving more than 2,900 children in 800 families per year! Together, we can make a difference and bring joy and much needed help to local families this Holiday season.
Our Mission
The Forgotten Children's Fund is an all volunteer organization that works to give underprivileged children and their families a truly Merry Christmas. With the support of our Seattle community we are able to purchase, wrap, and have Santa and his Elves deliver gifts every year.
Families We Help
Families are selected on the basis of need and are typically not assisted by other public or charitable organizations. We take great care to learn the children’s names, ages, clothing sizes and any special needs they may have. In some cases, help extends beyond gifts to include donations of groceries or help making basic payments such as a utility bill. The FCF currently operates in King County, Lewis County, North Counties (including Skagit, Island, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties) and Chelan Counties of Washington State.
Our Personalized Santa Deliveries Include:
Each child receives a new winter coat
3 toys or gifts
2 books
Hat, gloves, and socks
Stocking stuffed with goodies
Warm blankets for the families
Food for Christmas dinner and extra staples
Possibly a new bicycle and helmet (several variables considered)
before and after christmas
The FCF continues to make a difference year round with the M-Bar-C Ranch on Whidbey Island in Freeland, WA. This is an incredibly special place for deserving children with special needs to have a cowboy experience and where many ride a horse for the first time.