November 2012 my mother fell ill and spent some time in the hospital. It was during that time that I had a lot of time to think and realize how many children and adults are left to spend the holidays in the hospital. One step further, I than realized how many children may not have a Christmas at all based on what their family can afford or what they are going through. I could not imagine being a child and not waking up on December 25 to a Christmas tree filled with gifts, let alone going through the winter months without warm winter coats, clothing, etc. I wanted to do something that gave back to my community and impact others as well as give families the chance at a Christmas that I had yearly growing up. After much research I found that ADOPT-A-FAMILY VOLUNTEER MICHIGAN was the most reliable source. In 2012 we selected 5 families from the ADOPT-A-FAMILY agency. The advisor asks for a city, how many families, and how many family members per family we want. I supply what I am looking for (2012 we did Dearborn, MI families and the family sizes ranged from 2 individuals to 6). It is here that I would like to remind people that these families are not just mother's getting pregnant and taking advantage of the system. Whether it be a spouse who was the main income for the family, passing away or a line of bad luck, or constant hospital bills from a sick child that left them having to sell everything in order to assist in helping get their child feeling better. Needless to say once the families are selected. We post each family in the EVENT and individuals are able to announce on FACEBOOK what they want to do. They can select taking on a whole family, buying toys for one child, buying clothes, making a donation towards the family dining card, or merely making a generic donation and than whatever area needs items bought, I use that money to cover the costs. NO MONEY ever goes to myself or my crew. If money is left over we will add it to the gift card to the family, buy additional household supplies, or purchase more clothes. The family does supply us with a list of what each child wants, their likes and interests, the clothing sizes, favorite colors, favorite cartoon characters etc. All of that is published so that each of you can see if you want to purchase a specific item. What we aim to provide? - A "WOW" gift per child, a few smaller gifts, a stocking filled with treats, school supplies, a clothing item, and a winter jacket. Than we provide the parent with a gift card so that they may purchase the supplies needed to make a Christmas dinner for their family. Around a week before Christmas we get together as a group and wrap all of the gifts together. We laugh, watch Christmas movies, and snack and have a few drinks and gaze in what we have been able to accomplish. If you would like you are more than welcome to attend the wrapping event or you can reach out to one of us and we can arrange a means of receiving your gifts so that we can wrap them on the wrapping day. The day after wrapping we deliver, though this year we are looking into having an "open-house" where the families will be able to come to one location and pick-up their gifts. We will have cookies and treats for the families and allow for the children to decorate their own stockings. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. This year I have set up an account with gofundme.com which allows for you to make donations to the cause with a debit or credit card. ***I promise you, accomplishing this task is not easy and a few people cannot do it right with our economic means so TRULY ever dollar does help in the final outcome. Thank you so much,
Evan
***Remember, even $5 helps...these families have much less than you and I. If you can afford to eat out, get your nails done on a weekly basis, have a few $2 beers at the bar...than you can give up one of your luxuries (YES...They are luxuries) and make a minimal donation to assist at giving a child a Christmas. Remember your Christmas as a child, how would you feel having nothing to open. And this year is easier than last year, as long as you have a debit/credit card you can donate at fundme.com and not have to find away to track me down and give a cash donation...if you have questions please ask.
