By CAROLYN IAMON

Lifestyle Editor

Fifty-five children currently in foster care in 10 foster homes in Decatur County, will have a happier Christmas thanks to the Little Black Dress Charity, which recently held a raffle to raise money to benefit Decatur County Foster Children. The fundraiser was very successful, as they were able to present the Decatur County Department of Children’s Services with a check for $10,000.

This is the fifth year the group has held the fundraiser, and the total five-year amount is nearly $50,000, according to Joy Key, primary organizer of the event.

The money is used to provide children in foster care with gifts for Christmas, birthdays and special school events, as well as emergency situations. “Often children arrive in foster care without anything but the clothes on their backs,” explained Key.

A letter of thanks from Jackie Bridges, county director of the Dept. of Family and Children Services, noted “I can testify to the point that if a child feels good about the way they look, it makes them feel more confident and they perform better in school and have less disciplinary issues.”

The drawing was held December 2 at Live 101.9, with Dr. Chad Tuten winning the  prize basket full of product and many gift certificates, all donated by the following area merchants and organizations: Bella’s Boutique, Boyd’s BBQ, Serenity Med Spa, Le-Vel Thrive, Polka Dots, Flint River Outfitters, Joy Key Photography, Marlene’s Florist, Ryan Cleveland, 5 Points Cleaners, Vivi Kat, Isaacs Bakery, Massage Therapy by Debra Brock, Miles Realty, Bonnie Blue, Uncle Bill’s Pizza, Health Products, Stones, Healing Hands, Mad Rose, A to Z, Dixie Dandy, Yesterday’s Diner, Anytime Fitness, Sonya’s Sign Shop, Kim Moore/The Beauty Parlor.