Hugs of Healing for Children in Need

The Hugs of Healing for Children in Need is our new initiative aimed at supporting 50 children from Vilnius and Šiauliai who attend local day centers, including those organized by SOS Vaikų Kaimai Lietuva (SOS Children’s Villages Lithuania). SOS Vaikų Kaimai Lietuva is an internationally recognized organization that provides family-like care to children without parental care and supports vulnerable families in overcoming difficult situations. They take full responsibility for the care of children from birth to independence, while advocating for the rights of children both in Lithuania and globally. They work to create opportunities for all children to grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment and reach their full potential. These centers serve children from diverse backgrounds, including those from foster homes, temporarily fostered children, children from families facing challenges, children with special needs, and also children from regular families.

This Christmas, we want each child to receive a 110 cm plush cat toy, a comforting, inclusive and helpful gift.  The price of one plush cat is 20 euros. For many, this cat is not just a toy, but a needed friend and therapeutic companion. These sensory plush toys are popular among children in schools, and having one gives them a feeling of inclusiveness. They symbolize warmth, safety, and belonging. For most of these children, this simple gesture means so much, feeling connected and included, strengthening their sense of equality and normalcy in their lives. But why do we choose this hugging friend? Because apart from emotional support, sensory toys provide several crucial developmental benefits for children:

• Sensory development: These sensory toys help children to explore different senses, such as touching, seeing, hearing, and smelling, which help in the development of the brain;
• Improvement in fine motor skills: Most of these sensory toys require precise movements, hence improving finger and hand coordination;
• Calming effect: Some of these toys with different textures or sounds help children relax and reduce stress;
• Improvement in concentration and focus: playing with sensory toys teaches children to focus on something for a longer period of time;
• Social skill development: through these toys, children learn to share, cooperate, and interact with others in groups.

The initiative looks to highlight the importance of creating moments of joy and providing tools for emotional support and development, ensuring that every child who attends these centers feels valued and cared for.

Day centers play a crucial role in children’s emotional and social skills development. All these children learn and grow together, by engaging in interesting activities and learning many valuable skills, like cooking, navigating challenging and happy life events. These day centers offer a safe and supportive environment where children are building friendships and receiving the care they need. Each child’s journey is unique, and the centers provide individual psychological support to help them navigate life’s challenges and grow stronger.

Payment details:

Beneficiary: Labdaros ir paramos fondas Fenix Charity
Reg. No.: 306556124
Legal address: Žalgirio g. 92-216, LT-09303, Vilnius, Lithuania
Bank: Walletto UAB
Account number: LT69 3090 0541 0000 0060
SWIFT: UAWAL21
Payment purpose: Please write ‘Hugs of Healing for Children in Need’ if you wish to donate to our general fund, or specify the name of the project you would like to support

If you need invoices or support agreements, please contact us at santa@fenix.eu and provide your payment details.