It’s not even Thanksgiving, but Christmas cheer is in the air.

But this isn’t just another office Christmas party for Ashley Almanza.

“Since I was a little girl, my heart’s been set on being a social worker and loving on babies that need love,” she said.

Almanza is a case worker at a World for Children, matching up foster kids with temporary homes and serving as a mentor and friend to every child who comes through her door.

“When a kid feels like someone cares about them and is loved, I feel like they’re more self-confident and do better in life and succeed,” Almanza said.

“These kids have already had a rough life,” said area director Samantha Taggart. “It’s really important for them to have the best Christmas that they can and at a World for Children, we want to them enjoy the holidays the best that they can away from their families.”

 This year’s theme is a Charlie Brown Christmas — so Snoopy and the gang will be there helping those kids make memories that are going to last a lifetime.

  That’s why we’re paying it forward to a World for Children, so they can give their kids the merriest Christmas they’ve ever had.

“You get to see the pure joy in that day we have that party,” Almanza said. “They come out. They forget what’s going on around them. They get to just be little kids and enjoy the moment.” 

For more information on how you can help a World For Children check off the wish lists of local foster kids, visit their Facebook page.