State Adopt-A-Family Holiday program seeks sponsors by Dec. 6

The Department of Health and Social Services’ Adopt-A-Family Holiday program is seeking donors to help make this holiday season a happier one for thousands of children, adults, people with disabilities and seniors in need across Delaware.

The Adopt-A-Family Holiday program anonymously matches donors to seniors, individuals with disabilities or families with children. Through the leadership of the Human Services Council Inc., the program helped 2,548 Delawareans in 2018.

“The Adopt-A-Family Holiday program is a great way for Delawareans to reach out and lift the spirits of those in need during the holidays,” said Gov. John Carney. “Please take a moment to consider making a donation. By giving back, we can help make the holidays happier for our fellow Delawareans.”

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

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 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 people with disabilities will be matched to an individual living in a nursing home or someone 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.

Participating families are contacted by Adopt-A-Family to pick up their gift cards from the agency office. Eligible recipients are referred to Adopt-A-Family by social workers from state agencies.

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 one to adopt by Friday, Dec. 6.

For more information, go to www.roonga.com/aafsussex2019 or contact Kent and Sussex Adopt-A-Family at 302-424-7260 or Adopt-a-family-ks@delaware.gov. Drop-off hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the mailing address is Adopt-A-Family, 13 SW Front St., Milford, DE 19963.

When donors are matched with an individual or family, they will be given a code to include with the gift cards or items when they drop them off so the Adopt-A-Family staff knows who should receive the items.

The Adopt-A-Family program aids families in crisis – those struggling with illness, homelessness, domestic violence, poverty or unemployment – throughout the year. The program was started in 1973 by Marge Meyerman and is coordinated by the Division of State Service Centers in all three counties.