The Adopt-A-Family Outreach Ministry gives parishioners the opportunity to restore hope, joy and love at Christmas to families beset by illness, disability or financial hardship.

We do this by uniting with family members, friends, colleagues, neighbors and others to provide gifts and assistance to entire families.

Our list of families in need has grown every year. With the grace of God, so has our generosity.

This seasonal ministry needs the support of individuals and groups willing to adopt families and help with organization. The effort begins early in the fall and concludes shortly before Christmas. Following are some Frequently Asked Questions about our ministry.
 
How are the families selected?
Each year, 60-70 families are screened and referred by the Society of
St. Vincent de Paul, the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, and the Hispanic Ministry.  So far, we have been able to adopt everyone who has been referred to us.
 
Who adopts the families?
Over 80 donors contribute each year.  Many are individuals or families. Some are larger groups such as co-workers, parish staff or members of a parish ministry.
 
How much do you spend? That’s up to the donor, but keep in mind that these gifts are often the only ones each family receives. And, of course, all the children in each family should be treated equitably.

If I am not able to help "adopt" a family, is there any other way to support you?
Yes! If you are not able to be a donor or shopper, perhaps consider joining us as a sorter, helping to check in and sort the gifts for delivery to the families.

Donations of gift cards are also greatly needed and appreciated. We try to give each family a gift basket and/or a gift card to a local supermarket or big box store.

How does the project schedule work?
Donors are usually notified about their family’s details during Thanksgiving week. We try to provide the name, age, size, gender, race (for dolls) and gift suggestions for each family member.  Donors then buy and wrap the gifts and bring them to the Stevenson Center on the second Saturday in December. There, the sorters check in and sort the gifts. This gives the area organizations time to deliver the gifts to the families in time for Christmas.
 
Contact:
 
Linda Elser (left)
linda_elser@verizon.net
(610) 613-3083