The holiday season can be tough for everyone -- especially for those in foster care.
On Saturday, more than 500 children and teens from Cuyahoga County in foster care received a donated holiday gift and had their photo taken with Santa during Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services' annual 'Hope for the Holidays' event.
"When you look at the kids and you look how happy they are looking at all these presents, it can't help but make everybody happy," said Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish.
Each gift was donated by several community partners, including the Cleveland Browns.
"This is the time of year when children services shines," said Donna Heuler.
Heuler and her husband, Jim, have fostered 13 kids over the last five years. She said it's hard but an experience she would never trade for anything.
The couple is currently in the process of adopting one of the 13 children.
"It was the best thing for her to be removed from the home and it was the best thing to come into our home," Heuler said.
Heuler said the 'Hope for the Holidays' event has become a family tradition
For Emily Adams it's an opportunity to spend time with her own children, who've been taken out of her home.
"For a little while they just sort of forget the whole foster care situation and it just feels like everyone's a normal blended family," Adams said.
There are currently more than 1,800 children in foster care in Cuyahoga County and over 600 available for adoption. Click here for more information.
