The Valley Breeze
December 3, 2009
Adopt-A-Family still in need of family sponsors, gift donors
WOONSOCKET - It's an annual worry.
The 27-year-old Woonsocket Adopt-A-Family program is heading into its final adoption week far short of the number of donors needed to provide Christmas for all of the city's needy families.
As of last Friday, according to the group's secretary, Sandra Soares, while 807 families with about 1,700 children will be provided for this Christmas, another 279 families, representing 600 children, had no sponsors.
While other years have seen last-minute donors carry the day for all, she's not so sure that will happen this year.
The number who've agreed to help out is down substantially, she said, with many mentioning the economy is squeezing too tightly.
Adopt-A-Family faces the prospect of not being able to provide for every child for the first time in five years, she said.
She noted that one-third of Woonsocket children under the age of 6 are living in poverty.
The date for families to register for gifts has passed, but the organization is still welcoming the names the individuals and organizations willing to help out.
This organization, which works directly with Woonsocket's Family Resources Community Action Program to compile a list of the city's needy, makes the point that its recipients have no other sources for assistance this holiday.
President of the board of Adopt-A-Family this year is Pauline Belisle. Catherine Savage is vice president and Debra Mitchell is treasurer.
Those who agree to provide presents, says Soares, are providing everything that will appear under that family's tree.
Donors are asked to buy three to four clothing items and two to three toys for each child, about a $125 to $150 per child.
Generally, about $350,000 in goods is donated each year to the needy families along with another $20,00 in cash donations that are used to fill in shopping lists as needed.
Soares notes the number of recipients registering this year is about the same as last year, but the list includes more who describe themselves as "working poor."
There are also more grandparents who've taken over the rearing of grandchildren and more women who've mentioned domestic abuse restraining orders against children's fathers.
Donor are needed immediately; gifts are distributed during the week of Dec. 14.
To help out, call 766-2291 or e-mail adoptafamily@cox.net.
Adopt-A-Family still in need of family sponsors, gift donors
WOONSOCKET - It's an annual worry.
The 27-year-old Woonsocket Adopt-A-Family program is heading into its final adoption week far short of the number of donors needed to provide Christmas for all of the city's needy families.
As of last Friday, according to the group's secretary, Sandra Soares, while 807 families with about 1,700 children will be provided for this Christmas, another 279 families, representing 600 children, had no sponsors.
While other years have seen last-minute donors carry the day for all, she's not so sure that will happen this year.
The number who've agreed to help out is down substantially, she said, with many mentioning the economy is squeezing too tightly.
Adopt-A-Family faces the prospect of not being able to provide for every child for the first time in five years, she said.
She noted that one-third of Woonsocket children under the age of 6 are living in poverty.
The date for families to register for gifts has passed, but the organization is still welcoming the names the individuals and organizations willing to help out.
This organization, which works directly with Woonsocket's Family Resources Community Action Program to compile a list of the city's needy, makes the point that its recipients have no other sources for assistance this holiday.
President of the board of Adopt-A-Family this year is Pauline Belisle. Catherine Savage is vice president and Debra Mitchell is treasurer.
Those who agree to provide presents, says Soares, are providing everything that will appear under that family's tree.
Donors are asked to buy three to four clothing items and two to three toys for each child, about a $125 to $150 per child.
Generally, about $350,000 in goods is donated each year to the needy families along with another $20,00 in cash donations that are used to fill in shopping lists as needed.
Soares notes the number of recipients registering this year is about the same as last year, but the list includes more who describe themselves as "working poor."
There are also more grandparents who've taken over the rearing of grandchildren and more women who've mentioned domestic abuse restraining orders against children's fathers.
Donor are needed immediately; gifts are distributed during the week of Dec. 14.
To help out, call 766-2291 or e-mail adoptafamily@cox.net.
To read the article online go here.
