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DHSS Adopt-A-Family program is looking for donors

Delaware’s Department of Health and Social Services has officially launched this year’s edition of its Holiday Adopt-A-Family program.";s:

The holidays can be a difficult time for families in need and the State of Delaware is trying to lessen their burden.

 

The Department of Health and Social Services’ (DHSS) Holiday Adopt-A-Family program began in 1973.

“Our program is a program where we match needy families who are referred to us through Social Service agencies across the State, with general members of our community who are interested in just making sure that children and seniors and individuals with disabilities have an awesome holiday time,” said Lisa Johnson is a volunteer services administrator and program administrator for the Adopt-A-Family program.

She says last year, the program helped just over 2,500 (2,548) Delawareans with a combination of items and gift cards, “We even sometimes are calling referring agencies asking them to please hurry up and get your information in before the deadline for these families because as soon as the program opens, our sponsors and people who want to help - it’s just a raving, raving, raving wonderful, wonderful response.” 

 

Johnson notes, “We are looking for individuals, families, businesses, churches - anyone who wants to be a blessing to children in our communities whose families would not ordinarily be able to help them to have a nice Christmas.”

 

The deadline to “adopt” families with children is Dec. 6, and all gift cards must be delivered to the Adopt-A-Family office by Dec. 13. The deadline to deliver gifts for seniors and persons with disabilities to the Adopt-A-Family office is Dec. 6.

 

Adopt-A-Family provides donors with the age and gender of each child in the family and a brief description of the circumstances that led to their need for assistance. The sponsor then provides gift cards for the head-of-household to use to purchase holiday gifts. The recommended minimum gift is $100 per child, with a gift card for the parent/guardian optional but thoughtful.

Those interested in adopting seniors or persons with disabilities will be matched to an individual who is living in a nursing home or someone who is living alone and receiving in-home care services. A wish list of items that the individual enjoys, needs, or would appreciate, as well as clothing preferences and sizes, will be provided.

This year, Adopt-Family Holiday has an online platform for “adopting” families. Those interested in using the platform can scroll through a list of available families and choose a family they would like to “adopt” by Friday, Dec. 6. Those webpages are: · New Castle CountyKent County and Sussex County.

To “adopt” an individual or family, please contact:

· New Castle County: New Castle County Adopt-A-Family at 302-792-6510 or email AdoptafamilyNC2@delaware.gov. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mail or drop off donations to this address: Adopt-A-Family, 3301 Green St., Claymont, DE 19703

· Kent and Sussex counties: Kent and Sussex Adopt-A-Family at 302-424-7260 or email Adopt-a-family-ks@delaware.gov. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mail or drop off donations to this address: Adopt-A-Family, 13 SW Front St., Milford, DE 19963

 
 

Kelli Steele has over 30 years of experience covering news in Delaware, Baltimore, Winchester, Virginia, Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California.