DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake basketball is partnering with Foster SQUAD for their Dec. 12 non-conference double-header to bring holiday cheer to thousands of families. Fans can participate in this benefit partnership by bringing a new toy to Dec. 12's games in exchange for a free ticket and knowing you provided joy to a child this holiday season.
 
Foster SQUAD and Four Oaks are on a mission to bring joy to over 4,000 children in foster and kinship care in Iowa through Operation Santa. Teaming up with 10 nonprofits, the nonprofit organizations are orchestrating Christmas parties across the state. In Iowa, there are over 2,500 Christmas wish lists for children in foster and kinship care. More than 600 of those Christmas wish lists are located right here in Polk County.
 
"We're proud to call ourselves Des Moines' Hometown Team," Suzie Glazer Burt Women's Basketball Head Coach Allison Pohlman said, "And this is a great opportunity to put that into practice. Bring a toy, get your family and friends to bring a toy, and come cheer on the Bulldogs while we help those who need it."
 
Dec. 12 will feature a women's game against North Dakota starting at 5 p.m. and a men's basketball nightcap vs. St. Ambrose at 7:30 p.m.
 
Foster SQUAD, which was founded in 2019 provides care kits (backpacks with essential items) to kids who enter foster care in central Iowa. The Foster SQUAD offers a monthly support group in Ankeny. Last year, the Foster SQUAD helped provide gifts over 520 foster, kinship, and adopted children through its Operation Santa Christmas program. To learn more about the Foster SQUAD, please visit www.fostersquad.org. To donate to Operation Santa, please visit www.fostersquad.org/santa.