Woonsocket Adopt-a-Family: From the Desk of Sandy Soares

Friday, November 25, 2011

From the Desk of Sandy Soares

Thanksgiving is over, and I hope you all had a wonderful holiday spent with loved ones. I also hope that we all took a minute during the day yesterday to think of our service men and women who spent their Thanksgivings far from home and their loved ones.

Those of us who don't have someone serving in the military tend to forget about those who do. Now Christmas is just ahead. Again, we need to remember those far from home who won't be home for Christmas and wish them a safe and speedy return to spend many future holidays with friends and families.

With Christmas just a few weeks away, the people behind the scene who dedicate time and much energy to Woonsocket's Adopt-a-Family program are busy matching families in need and with generous donors from the community.

As of this writing we have approximately 700 families, a little more than 1,400 children, matched with donors. Donors are people who will make sure these kids have toys and clothes under their tree Christmas morning.

As amazing as that number sounds, we still have nearly 300 families, another 650 children, who we do not have donors for. Many of those who are applying this year are working poor. People who have jobs but after paying their monthly bills have nothing left to buy Christmas gifts with.

Last year was the 8th year in a row that we were able to find donors for 100% of the eligible families who applied. It's very likely we won't be able to make this the 9th year; which means we will soon be sending letters out to many families saying we're sorry but we can't help them this year.

If you would like to help either by 'adopting' a family or making a donation to help with our expenses (we are all volunteers, the money goes to operating costs such as rent, postage and printing) please call us at 401-766-2291 or email us at adoptafamily@cox.net.

Many have had a difficult year financially, and I know you are getting requests from many charities nationwide. Adopt-a-Family gives you a chance to help your neighbors, and we need your help.

Please call or write today and help us make this our 9th year of 100% success.

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.”