Web posted on November 09, 2009

The Children's Foundation is asking residents of Guelph and Wellington County to reach out to those in need this Holiday Season and become a donor to the Adopt-A-Family Program.

The Adopt-A-Family Program matches needy children and families with community donors to provide extra assistance during the Holiday Season. Last year the Adopt-A-Family program assisted over 530 families, including over 1150 children. As of November 9th 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 helped went from 435 to 530 in just 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. As a donor for the Adopt-A-Family program, you will have the opportunity to lift the spirits of families in need in Guelph and Wellington County.

"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.

Still, you gave hope! Thank you for all of this. Our lives have sincerely been touched."

- Adopt-A-Family 2008 Family

Families are referred to the program by many social service agencies within Guelph and Wellington County. Single moms and dads, independent teens, two parent families, as well as children being raised by grandparents, benefit from the Adopt-A-Family program.

Through the generosity of donors, we are 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. We prepare them for delivery to the families.

Donors who are interested in participating in Adopt-A-Family may sign up online at www.childrensfoundation.org or contact the Children's Foundation at 519-826-9551.
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