Woonsocket Adopt-a-Family: A Letter from a Donor

Friday, December 17, 2010

A Letter from a Donor

This was included in an email received in our mailbox.

Hello Sandy,

Well Santa's sleigh was loaded this evening with lots of toys and warm things for my family. I can tell you I had a wonderful time being Santa's elf for two little girls after having 3 grown sons, 2 nephews and 3 teenage grandsons in my family. My hope is that my decisions are both Santa and Mother approved.

My thoughts as I was gathering their gifts was that I and my family's Mom are sharing in the true meaning of Christmas giving. Having had to apply for heating assistance one cold winter myself, I understand the feelings,and thoughts one has when faced with adversity.

Since that time I made a promise to return the kindness I was shown and to pay it forward. If I had one Christmas wish, it would be that this Mom be able to pay it forward some day. I know she is a caring, compassionate person, having chosen to work in the medical field.

May God bless this little family, and may their Christmas be merry and bright. God bless Adopt a Family for allowing me the privilege of participating and making this Christmas one of the most rewarding experiences for me.

I must go bed down the reindeer now, so they will be ready to pull the sleigh for delivery tomorrow at noon, and to all a good night!

P.S. Please hold good thoughts and prayers for our service women and men. May God keep you safe.

2011 Program Update--Final Numbers

This year we were able to provide for 2,216 children in 1,059 families through the efforts of our donors and volunteers. 2011 was the 9th year in a row that we were able to take care of every eligible family who applied.

This year our finances were seriously depleted by the 399 children provided for as they had no outside donors. If you would like to help replenish our treasury so that we can continue, send all cash donations to ADOPT-A-FAMILY, INC., P.O. Box 7665, Cumberland, RI 02864. Remember all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Who We Are

Adopt-A-Family, Inc., was started by a group of volunteers and has been a favorite local charity in the Northern Rhode Island area since its inception. Our mission is to provide gifts of clothes and toys to children of needy families in Woonsocket.

The agency is an independent privately funded, non-profit organization founded in 1983. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency, making your donations tax-deductible. We are not part of a larger organization and only work in the Northern Rhode Island area.

Adopt-A-Family protects the privacy of both its donors and recipients.

Our mailing address is:
Adopt-a-Family, Inc.
P.O. Box 7665
Cumberland, RI 02864

Or leave a message at:
(401) 766-2291

Some of Our Statistics

Since we began keeping records in 1992, more than 30,000 children have been provided for in a city where 35% of the children under the age of 6 live below the poverty level.

We make a big effort to reach out to "working poor" families of Woonsocket.

Annually we bring approximately $350,000 worth of goods into the city through our donors' gifts of toys, clothes and money. We also raise approximately $20,000 per year to purchase toys, games and clothes for children we are unable to find outside donors for.

From Our Families

Personal Donor Family:
“Adopt-A-Family has given our family the opportunity to get back to the true spirit of Christmas...sharing with those who are less fortunate. The difference between this program and others is that it is very personalized.”

Corporate Donor:
“We get each employee personally involved...and to be part of the good that's being done. We let them go shopping one day, then have a short afternoon gift-wrapping party. It's much more real to them than a footnote in the company newsletter saying such-and-such a donation was made. It's inexpensive, and a good morale-building activity for the office.”

Recipient Family:
“There aren't enough words to thank you or describe how much my children needed a happy Christmas this year, and you not only made it happy, you made it the most wonderful Christmas we've ever had...Because of you, my children believe in Santa and the miracle of Christmas. I will be forever grateful...I could never have done it without you and I will never forget what you've done.”