In the first year of Adopt-a-Family, only a section of the former Hometown Buffet location was used for the sit down dinner and gift exchange that has become the largest annual event for the North Sacramento News team. Many of those same individuals and businesses have participated year after year. But as the generosity of sponsors grew, so did the number of families who could be served. In the first year of Adopt a Family, 13 families were helped by businesses and individuals. In the second year that number doubled. This, the third year, it nearly doubled again. A total of 50 families were provided with toys, clothes and for - the first time - a holiday gift basket for Christmas dinner complete with turkey and all of the fixings.
Visit SacHelpingHands.org for Video of Adopt-a-Family 2011
In a time when statistics and the stock market offer less and less of a prospect that the economy will turn around, there is a headline of hope in the Sacramento region:”People are Still Helping People”. The need is greater, and as evidenced by this and other charitable groups, it is also changing. More people from the formerly middle class are finding themselves in the unemployment or food line for the very first time.
It's an immediate answer to an overwhelming problem during the holiday months -- feed people, relieve the burden of seeing their children without Christmas gifts and you ease some of the pressure. However, it's not just a goal to simply hand out gifts and meals. The North Sacramento News, along with Sacramento Helping Hands and many business and community sponsors believe the purpose of serving in this way is to help families see that someone has taken notice of their situation and have a desire to do what they can to help. The way in which the Adopt-a-Family event is structured, allows a relationship to be forged between the individuals giving and the persons receiving. The intention is that next year, perhaps the receiving family, who has in the past gone without, will be in a position to give to others who are going through some harder times.
Take Melissa, she was one of the first families to get help with Christmas gifts through Adopt-a-Family in 2009. A single mother who didn't have a job at that time is now employed full time and is able to afford to buy her own gifts this year along with the everyday expenses like childcare and transportation and has moved into a nicer apartment. She told someone she worked with about the program and now, another single mom was helped.
From single parent homes, to ones with moms and dads, the looks on the faces of these children is nothing more than awe-filled gratitude. And for those who gave, their faces were bright with an excitement and a fulfillment that came through knowing they made a difference.
Could it be 100 families next year? If so, we'll need to find a bigger location and more people like you. If you would like to be a sponsor or donate to the 2012 Adopt-a-Family program, you don't have to wait until next Christmas. Look online for more information. Log on to www.NorthSacNews.com for a video from this year and last year's events.
Generosity begets generosity. Here is a list of all of the people who made it possible for these 50 families!