Back-to-school reminder: Still time to donate to Adopt-A-Student
As Delaware families get ready to send their children back to school, the Department of Health and Social Services asks citizens to remember students who aren’t as fortunate by making a donation through the state’s Adopt-A-Student program.
While staff members for the Adopt-A-Student programs for New Castle County and for Kent and Sussex counties say they have plenty of backpacks and school supplies, they still need gift cards so families can do back-to-school shopping on their own. The Adopt-A-Student program asks for gift cards in denominations of $15, $25, $30, $50 or $100 to help families buy school uniforms.
“Adopt-A-Student is a great way for the community to play a role in helping more Delaware students to succeed,” said DHSS Secretary Rita Landgraf. “By making a generous donation of a gift card or by check, you are connecting with families and offering them the opportunity to bring the excitement of back-to-school shopping to their families, too.”
In Sussex County, gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to Kent/ Sussex Adopt-A-Family, Milford State Service Center Annex, 13 SW Front St., Suite 103, Milford, DE 19963.
Tax-deductible cash donations from individuals and businesses can be made to Human Services Council Inc.,13 SW Front St., Suite 103, Milford, DE 19963. United Way donations can be designated by writing in the following code for Sussex: 12774.
“The children who are assisted by your donations to the Kent/Sussex Adopt-A-Student program are the children in your neighborhood, attending your schools,” said Shannon Smith, program coordinator. “When the children do well, the schools do well. Thanks to your kindhearted donations, we increase the opportunities for more students to succeed in Kent and Sussex counties.”
Year-round, the Adopt-A-Family program aids families in crisis - those struggling with illness, homelessness, domestic violence, poverty or unemployment. The program, begun in 1973, is coordinated by the Division of State Service Centers in all three counties. Most of the beneficiaries are single-parent households, children and senior citizens.
The Division of State Service Centers is already gearing up for the Adopt-A-Family holiday program. Adopt-A-Family provides the donor 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 donor then provides gift cards or certificates for the head of household to use in buying holiday gifts. The recommended gift is $100 to $125 per child, with a gift certificate for the parent optional, but thoughtful.
For more information about either the Adopt-A-Student Program or the Holiday Program, contact Sussex County Adopt-A-Family at 302-424-7260.
