Catholic Charities beginning seasonal ‘Adopt-a-Family’ program activities

GOSHEN — Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster is beginning plans for its 11th season of assisting families through its annual ‘Adopt-a-Family’ gift program.
The agency matches families selected by Catholic Charities’ case managers with donors who “adopt” them for Christmas.
Last year, thousands of dollars in Christmas gifts were distributed to hundreds of children and families throughout the Catholic Charities service area.
Each fall, Catholic Charities collects the names and details of families in need that include children age 12 or under, including: age, gender, clothing size, special interests, and possible gift suggestions.
For children age 12 and under, the agency requests the gift includes an outfit (shirt and pants) and an age-appropriate toy.
The details are then provided to donors who have volunteered to “adopt” a family for Christmas.
Adopters are frequently businesses, scout troops, school groups, office co-workers, classmates, civic groups, adult siblings, and families – anyone who is looking to create a brighter Christmas for a youngster.
Past donors have included adult siblings who no longer exchange family gifts and colleagues who want an alternative to the office gift exchange. Many donors also supplement their family’s gifts with holiday food baskets and gift cards to make the season even more special.
Anyone looking to have a family added to the “adoption” list should work with their case manager to have their information shared with Catholic Charities.
Those looking to adopt a family should contact, Barbara Devine at 294-5124 or by emailing barbara.devine@cccsos.org. Gifts should be delivered to Catholic Charities for distribution to families no later than Dec. 14.
Gifts are distributed by employees to the adopted families between Dec. 15 and 23.
- Nancy Kriz