The Children’s Foundation is asking residents of Guelph and Wellington County to reach out to those in need this Christmas season and become a donor to the Adopt-A-Family program.
The program matches needy children and families with community donors to provide extra assistance during the Christmas season. Last year the Adopt-A-Family program assisted over 530 families, including over 1,150 children.
As of Nov. 9 this year, 573 children from almost 233 families have been referred to the program. It is expected that this number will surpass last year’s total over the next few weeks. The number of families helped over time has steadily increased but the program saw a huge jump in need last year when the families who were helped went from 435 to 530 in one year.
Currently, 150 donors have signed up to participate in the program. The donors include families, businesses, churches, and community organizations. Many donors have decided to pass on the tradition of Secret Santa, or gift exchanges and instead help put presents under the tree for those in need. Donors to the program, you can lift the spirits of families in need.
One family who received help last year, wrote, “Thank you for making our Christmas absolutely wonderful. Children, whatever their age need to experience the wonder of Christmas Day and to know life continues even when times are tough. You were able to give us the ability to continue to see light in our children’s eyes and faith that things can still stay the same when around them life is leaner. So, as well as enabling our family to enjoy the Christmas season, you also gave us as parents the gift of some continuity … Our lives have sincerely been touched.”
Families are referred to the program by many social service agencies in Guelph and Wellington County. Single moms and dads, independent teens, two parent families, as well as children being raised by grandparents, benefit from the program.
Through donations, it is able to provide gifts and grocery gift cards for individual family members and independent teens. Donors receive a wish list from their "adopted" family and then purchase and deliver the unwrapped gifts to The Children’s Foundation, which prepares them for delivery to the families.
Donors may register at www.childrensfoundation.org or contact the Children’s Foundation at 519-826-9551.
