Adopted Families

The Adopted Families Christmas Program is an outreach ministry coordinated by The Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd.

The goal of this ministry is to provide families in need the opportunity to ensure that their children will find something under the tree on Christmas morning. The number of families reached varies according to funding and determined need but averages 75 to 100 families, affecting 225 to 300 children.

The Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd coordinates an application process which includes screening through the Community Resources Clearinghouse, followed by personal interviews of each family chosen to participate.

The Adopted Families Christmas Program is unique in many ways, one of which is the opportunity for parents to shop for their children in a "store" atmosphere allowing them to actually choose the presents that their children will receive.

Trained volunteers accompany parents through the store to guide and assist with selections. In addition to the gifts selected by the parent, each child receives a reading book, coloring book and crayons, new socks, undies, hat and gloves and a voucher for a new pair of shoes (if needed) from a local retailer.

Another unique feature of the Adopted Families Christmas Program is that we remember that Christmas is a family time. Each adult in the family also receives new undies, hat and gloves and a packet of personal care products and goes home with a dozen homemade cookies. Christmas dinner is assured through the gift of a food basket of fresh and canned foods in addition to a ham or turkey. Area churches assist in providing these meal preparations

Families are also given access to our Rummage Area to select used clothing, shoes, household articles and anything else that has been donated.

2006

Again in 2006, our Adopted Families program was a success. Through this program, we were able to assist 74 families, 201 children and 100 adults. We provided 107 - $15 shoe vouchers for school age children. The families took bags and bags of used clothing, toys, household good and even furniture from downstairs. One thousand pounds of potatoes were also available for the families to take and Christmas food baskets were available for the 53 families who requested help. Each family was given at least a dozen cookies, a personal care package, tooth brushes, a ball or game. Socks, underwear, hats and gloves were provided for each person. Of course the emphasis was on toys. Each child received three gifts, plus a coloring book, crayons and a reading book. Older teens received two age appropriate gifts.

Although we do not have an exact cost for the program because many donations are "in-kind," (all the personal care products are donated by Trinity Episcopal Church) we believe the total cost to fund this project would be about $15,000. None of this expense is included in the church budget. The largest single source of income is derived from the rummage sales conducted by our dedicated “basement volunteers”. For them, this is a whole year project.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

The success for the Adopted Families Christmas Program depends on community support. This outreach ministry is funded entirely through money raised with our rummage sales and donations from organizations and individual members of the community. The success of this program depends on you.

DONATIONS of new toys, socks, undies, hats, gloves, children's books, crayons, coloring books, infant sleepers or teen gifts for boys or girls are always appreciated.

CASH GIFTS are always useful and may be easier for you and are tax deductible. Many church and civic groups, businesses and individuals assist in this way.

VOLUNTEERS are always needed. There are many ways to assist in the program from interviewing to purchasing toys, decorating, assembling and working in the Christmas "store," baking or bagging cookies or working in the rummage area.

If you are interested in helping with the Adopted Families Christmas Program or would like more information please contact The Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd at (304)428-1525.