By law, we are not able to show the faces of foster children, making a photo gallery difficult at best. Please accept our apologies, but the privacy protections afforded foster children are important to all of us.

Another visit by one of our foster families to the Zoo to meet its interesting residents.

The final event of our Hearts for Hope month of love in 2022 was family portraits for our foster families. The lighting was bad for these shots but perfect for the portraits.

Special balloons, food (from 4 Rivers) and fun for the kids at the February 19, 2022 picnic, a part of our month of activities called Hearts for Hope

A special project with professional artist Alan Metzger on February 5, 2022 a part of our Hearts for Hope in February

This is a picture of a family including foster children during a visit to The Florida Aquarium in Tampa
This is a picture of a family including foster children during a visit to The Florida Aquarium in Tampa
This is a picture collage of a participating family and their foster child created during a visit to ZooTampa
This is a picture collage of a participating family and their foster child created during a visit to ZooTampa
Christmas gifts for our foster children at Idlewild
A set of gifts for a hospitalized newborn soon to enter foster care
The Hillsborough County Guardian ad Litem SWAT team and the Idlewild Foundation touring the Mary Lee House together

Our October 2022 Foster Appreciation Banquet for foster parent, donors, volunteers and trustees, featuring Emcee Steve Overton, a panel discussion, worship and praise led by Keith and Heather Brickell and a great meal.

Orphan Sunday, November 13, 2022 at Idlewild, celebrating adoptions

On February 18, 2023 our annual picnic, a part of our Hearts for Hope in February celebration, was a great one with barbeque by South Florida Catering, a ministry fair including Redeeming Love Foster Closet, Celebrate Birthdays and Uncle Charlie Bancroft. We had balloons from the Lamberts, face painting, kickball, hula hoops, Connect 4 and a lot more for a super afternoon of fun at the Baptist Conference Center.

On July 30, 2023 Idlewild Baptist Church and The Idlewild Foundation held a Back to School Bash with the help of a sponsor, Jockey Being Family, and many volunteers, and served 143 foster children in 41 different families. For the caregivers we had lots of school supplies for each foster child and a great backpack while we had activities for the kids while the caregivers and parents got the supplies they needed. What a blessing!

Our 2023 Gala on October 20, 2023, was a great success, thanks to the hard work and effort of many volunteers!