LAPLACE — This year’s QHotels Christmas tree was stocked with Star Wars light sabers, winter pajamas, soccer balls, jewelry kits and lots of toys, all for the little ones’ Christmas joy.

Every gift was specially selected from the Christmas wish list of a St. John the Baptist Parish foster child in need. There are currently 18 children in foster care in St. John Parish, according to local Advocate Supervisor Shannon Brown.

Through Child Advocacy Services, Brown and a network of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) provide cost-free counseling services and serve as a voice for the children who cannot advocate for themselves in court proceedings.

The number of children in foster care locally has decreased since some aged out of the system, while others were reunited with their parents. However, there are still children in need of kind gestures to brighten their holiday season.

Vimal Patel, President of QHotels, partnered with Child Advocacy Services in St. John Parish three years ago to fulfill children’s Christmas wishes. This year, the effort was conducted at the QHotels corporate office in LaPlace and at QHotel’s Staybridge Suite in Lake Charles.

Supporting the community, especially children and families, is central to QHotel’s history of support and volunteerism.

“We were helping kids in different aspects previously and working to help kids internationally,” Patel said. “Then we started a relationship and partnership with CASA. We are local, and we want to give back to the community by making partnerships to meet the needs of people in the area. We asked CASA to provide us a list for the kids so we could give them their preferred items. We got the wish lists, and we picked up the gifts.”

Brown said the children are always excited to open the gifts. All of the presents will be delivered the week before Christmas with help from CASA volunteers.

“They love the gifts,” Brown said. “A lot of times, they come from different backgrounds where they don’t always receive Christmas gifts. The are very excited and surprised.”

This year’s gifts also included a winter jacket, infant toys, mega blocks, princess Barbies, a LEGO Minecraft set, a friendship bracelet kit and a board game.

Established in 1997, QHotels is a hospitality and development company that offers hotel management services and development services. The company is associated with Marriott, IHG, Hilton and Best Western brands, with a mission to inspire extraordinary results, advance knowledge and strengthen communities.

QHotels can be reached at qhotels.com or 985-618-1700.

Child Advocacy Services offers advocacy, clinical services and education in Ascension, Assumption, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, Tangipahoa, and West Feliciana Parishes. The St. John Parish Office is located at 2840 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace.

Volunteer training will be offered in January 2020 to responsible adults ages 21 and older with a clean background.

“We are a voice for the children,” Brown said. “We advocate for the youth in their best interests, making sure that where they are placed is the best place for them.”

For more information, contact Brown at 985-536-8384.