The St. Cloud-based Catholic Charities is working hard to help the neediest families in the area with its “Adopt-a-Family-for-Christmas” program.
The organization’s “Share-the-Spirit” program matches families who are experiencing hardship with groups of people who want to “adopt” such a family for Christmas.
All families “up for adoption,” so to speak, are nominated by area social workers from area human-services organizations in central Minnesota.
“By definition, social workers work with those who are experiencing the hardest times in life, said Mishon Bulson, program coordinator for Catholic Charities Share-the-Spirit Program. “By asking social workers to nominate families, we are able to uplift the families who are in the most need during the holiday season.”
Groups or individuals who adopt a family are asked to spend about $70 per family member. Families of all sizes are available to adopt. Confidentiality for both donor and recipients families is respected. The $70 amount usually includes $60 for a gift or gifts and $10 for a grocery gift certificate so the family can shop for items with which to make a Christmas dinner.
The donors are given basic demographics (first names, ages, sizes and more), and then a list of a few needs and wants for each member of the adopted family. Lists are generally distributed in November. Donors then purchase and wrap gifts for their family. The gifts can then be dropped off by Dec. 15 at 3000 Division Street (the former Marco building) in St. Cloud.
Those who would like to adopt a family or to find out more about it should go to the following website: www.ccstcloud.org.
Online donor forms should be filled out by Oct. 31.