Raymond Brangman remembers what it feels like to wake up on Christmas Day with no presents to unwrap. The 53-year-old Pembroke resident spent three years in foster care as a child — one of the hardest experiences of his life.

Determined to make this Christmas “a little bit” special for other foster children, Mr Brangman has donated $1,000 towards a fundraiser organised by Rosa’s and Chopstick’s restaurants in aid of the Bermuda Foster Parents Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda.

“I was a foster child along with my brother some 40 years ago,” Mr Brangman told The Royal Gazette. “It was one of the hardest experiences of my life.

“I nor any of the children that have been through or are in the foster care system asked to be there. It was the card we were dealt.

“Through these experiences I decided I did not want to have children of my own. So, this year I have decided that I would like to bring joy to about 20 foster children in the system now.”

Special Christmas trees decorated with angels representing children in foster care or with BBBS have been set up in Rosa’s and Chopsticks.

People can purchase gifts for the children or donate money towards gifts, Lindsay Durham, the director of operations and human resources for both restaurants, explained.

Mr Brangman saw the tree when he went to Rosa’s on Sunday and when curiosity piqued, he asked Ms Durham why it had been set up so early.

“When she told me that the gifts go to foster children it touched my heart,” said Mr Brangman, who went to the Sunshine League when he was 8.

“Being away from your family is so hard. The people that care for you, do their best but it never feels like home.”

Mr Brangman had a strong connection with his mother and he said being removed from “the only place that I knew as home was life changing”.

Although he was grateful to have a roof over his head, food and clothing, Mr Brangman clearly remembers going to school with only the necessities while all his friends had toys and books.

“When Christmas came and Santa didn’t visit was when I learnt the truth about Christmas,” he said.

“I have donated $1,000 to help make Christmas a little bit special. I hope that the public can also donate to this cause.

“Foster children in Bermuda to me are the most unique children. Children in the system are away from their families.

“I hope that Bermuda can stand by the children of our future. It takes all of us to make our children in the community special. Let’s not leave a child behind.”

Ms Durham, who is also the president of the Bermuda Foster Parents Association, said there are 68 children in foster care in Bermuda and BBBS assists more than 200 children.

Noting that Christmas can be a hard time of the year for families, Ms Durham said the fundraiser was their way of making a difference directly.

“It’s special to wake up and get a gift on Christmas,” she said, adding that the Premier had also pledged to buy gifts for ten children.

Michael Dunkley, who learnt about the partnership on Monday, also encouraged the public to support the initiative.

“Christmas time is such a beautiful and special time of the year spent with family and friends,” he said. “But we recognise that for some in our community, this holiday is a challenging time.

“Organisations like Big Brothers and Big Sisters along with the Foster Parents Association should be commended for the wonderful work they do to support our young people.

“My colleagues and I wholeheartedly believe in lifting up our young people and in that regard, we are genuinely pleased to support this very worthwhile initiative. And I encourage all of Bermuda to support this important fundraising effort.”

Adding that no donation is too small, Ms Durham said people could either take an angel and buy a gift, or “if they don’t have time, we will go and get it”.

Everyone who participates in the drive, which will end on December 9, is entered into a $100 draw from Rosa’s, Ms Durham added.

The sister restaurants are also trying to put together hampers for every family and those who cannot afford gifts or monetary donations are welcome to drop off canned and dry goods.

In addition, they will be holding a winter wonderland celebration on Front Street on December 18 as part of their big community giveback.