Woonsocket Adopt-A-Family is a non-profit organization whose mission is to make Christmas a reality for more than 2,200 less fortunate children in the City of Woonsocket by soliciting generous donors to “adopt” a child’s wish list for the season. Donors provide gifts of 3-4 clothing items, 2-3 toys and a stocking, thereby ensuring the child will have gifts under the tree on Christmas morning.
In 2011, over 300 children were not adopted by outside donors. We were able to buy gifts for all un-adopted children by depleting our treasury. We are seeking local individuals, families, and organizations to “adopt” one or more children this holiday season to prevent this from happening again.
Parents apply to the program by completing a wish list for each child under the age of 13 who lives in the house. When asked to explain their need for assistance, the families’ statements are as simple as “Income barely covering rent and utilities” and as dire as “Homeless after having fled abusive relationship.” Application after application mentions that they have no winter clothes for their children. Many have lost jobs, and others are working shorter hours so that they can attend college, GED, and ESL classes with the hope of making a better life for themselves and their families.
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Adopt-A-Family anonymously matches wish lists to generous donors who help to provide a Christmas to each adopted child by shopping for gifts of 3-4 clothing items, 2-3 toys and a stocking stuffed with goodies. All gifts are wrapped and delivered to a designated drop-off location in Woonsocket the week of December 9th – 14th. The gifts are then distributed to the families in time for Christmas.
For more information on our organization and how to adopt, visit www.woonsocketadoptafamily.org, email woonsocketadoptafamily@gmail.com, or phone (401) 766-2291.