This year, the McVickers' Christmas play is "Follow Your Heart's Desire," a story about a foster child struggling with being adopted by her foster parents. So she (Jessica) goes for help from the Touched By a Child Pirates, and they take her to the past, present and future to see what happened to her parents.

The writer of the play, Kathy McVicker, says, "This is a real situation with many children in foster care. They all want to go 'home' but that is not always possible. By writing this heartfelt story, I hope to educate families about the tremendous difficulties these children are facing."

Putting on a Christmas play is a tradition for the McVickers of Nevada City - a family of lots of foster kids - 19 children in all. According to McVicker, the donations raised from the play go to the nonprofit Touched By A Child Foundation, which helps families in Nevada County with parenting classes and counseling (www.touchedbyachild.com).

Says McVicker, "... this year some of our older kids have moved out or are not involved like before, which has been difficult, but we have added two more to our family this past year. One of our newest boys, who would hardly talk when he came, is singing a solo. It chokes me up every time he sings."

The play starts at 7 p.m. every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday starting tonight and ending Dec. 22 - that's 15 opportunities to support the children. Donations are requested.

Call or e-mail your reservation (and get directions to the house) at (530) 273-1112 or kathymcv2000@yahoo.com.