Adopt-A-Family

The holidays are a special occasion spent with families and friends; it is a time of hope and jubilance. Many people enjoy seeing old friends and giving gifts to the people they care about. While this is true for many, there are those who struggle to make ends meet and cannot afford to have a Christmas. Imagine life as a teen mother abandoned by her family and expecting her first child, or a parent working a minimum wage job with four young children and struggling to put food on the table. The NVCSS Adopt-A-Family program strives to make the holiday season cheerier for North State families by providing gifts of clothing, food and toys. In 2009, over 1,100 families were “adopted” by caring individuals, families and organizations in Butte, Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama counties.

Without aid from the community Northern Valley Catholic Social Service (NVCSS) would not be able to spread cheer to the hundreds of families who’ve been helped throughout the years. There are many social groups, organizations and individuals who adopt families in need and give these families a Christmas to remember. Some of these caring individuals are neighbors, friends, family, or individuals from local businesses. NVCSS likes to think of them as Santa’s helpers and they help NVCSS fulfill its mission of reaching out in care and in love to those in need.

There is one organization that has taken the lead in helping NVCSS spread the word of the Adopt-A-Family program. For many years the Record Searchlight has worked closely with NVCSS to share the stories of families who are given a Christmas, of volunteers going above and beyond to help families in need and stories about the Adopt-A-Family program that touches the heart. The Record Searchlight works tirelessly to report the news and share it with the public. They go above and beyond to help the Adopt-A-Family program.

The Record Searchlight has written grants in the past to receive money to contribute to the Adopt-A-Family program. With a grant this year the Record Searchlight contributed $5,000 to the program. In addition, the staff of the Record Searchlight put together a breakfast club with the purpose of adopting a family from the NVCSS program. The staff gathered around the table, they choose a family to adopt and they all participate to help give the family a magical Christmas. With the Record Searchlight’s help NVCSS has been able to increase the number of families being served each year. NVCSS heartily thanks the Record Searchlight for their generous contributions.

During the holiday season our thoughts turn gratefully to the Record Searchlight and everyone involved in making Adopt-A-Family a success. It is important to remember there are individuals who are desperately in need of some holiday cheer and it is up to members of the community to make the magic happen. Even though it may seem like the magic of Christmas has slipped away for some, it is restored through Adopt-A-Family. NVCSS is proud to be a part of a community that shares in making a difference for North State families.

For more information about NVCSS Adopt-A-Family please visit www.nvcss.org or call 530-241-0552.