Adopt-a-Family Program

For the past five years, Brian and I have had the honor of adopting a family for Christmas through the Catholic Charities of Sacramento Adopt-a-Family Program.

I don't normally share about the charitable work that Brian and I do because as the Bible says in Matthew 6:2: "When you give to needy people, do not announce it by having trumpets blown. Do not be like those who only pretend to be holy. They announce what they do in the synagogues and on the streets. They want to be honored by others. What I'm about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward."

However, this year due to the high unemployment rate and fiscal recession, many more families will be in need this Christmas, unable to buy clothing and toys for their children.

Now, I know you might be thinking, "Well, I'd love to help, but I don't have hundreds of dollars laying around to spend on a family."

Read on to see what donor families are asked to provide...

1) wrapped gift(s) for each child

2) an optional household gift for parent(s)

3) a grocery store gift card - amount of your choice (donors usually give $50 or more, but any amount is appreciated)

While you could easily spend a few hundred dollars on your adopted family, if money is tight, you might opt to buy just one gift for each child and a grocery store gift card. If the adopted family has two children, you would be spending $100.

Another option might be to consider joining with others such as friends from church, a neighborhood group, school, organization or business and collectively adopting one family.

For now, though, I invite you to just pray about it, mull it over in your mind--and maybe check your bank account balance. If you decide you'd like to help a needy family in the Sacramento area, here's what you need to do:

1) First, fill out this form online by December 11, 2009 or contact Catholic Charities at (916) 733-0253.

2) Catholic Charities will send you the family's wish list by mail.

3) Now for the fun part! Purchase gifts for the kids and wrap them up.

4) Buy a grocery store gift card and tuck it into an envelope.

5) Deliver the gifts to the Catholic Charities' office at 2110 Broadway, Sacramento from Tuesday, December 15th to Thursday, December 17th between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

6) *Smile* knowing that one family will truly benefit from your generosity.

This year, Brian and I adopted a family of four: a mom, dad and two little girls, ages 2 and 5. I've been having so much fun shopping for the girls! :-)

I'm hoping that when they open the toys and books we've bought them, their faces will light up with joy. And even though they probably won't be nearly as excited about the clothing we've picked out for them, it does my heart good to know that the jeans, shirts, and sweatshirts will help keep their little bodies warm this winter season.