Christmas ADOPT–a–FAMILY

GUIDELINES FOR SPONSORS

Dear Adopt-a-Family Sponsor:

First, thank you for accepting the responsibility and challenge of adopting a family in St. Vincent de Paul’s program. This is a significant commitment on your part, and we believe you will find it a very rewarding one.

HOW FAMILIES ARE CHOSEN. Families are chosen and carefully matched with a sponsor by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. All are families in need already receiving assistance from SVdP. All are checked to ensure they have not applied for help from another agency. Families are chosen regardless of race, religion, or national origin.

YOUR COMMITMENT. Christmas is a special time for young children, so we are focusing on them. The sponsor buys and wraps presents for the household family members:

·  2 new presents (one toy, the other clothes) for each child between 2 and 14 years

·  1 present for each parent and grandparent in the household

·  A full Christmas dinner for the family (uncooked, traditional or Hispanic)

COSTS. The cost to adopt a family will of course depend on the size of the family you adopt. General guidelines are:

Cost of Christmas Meal Items: $8 to $10 a person

Christmas Presents: $35 to $45 a person (average)

We suggest a $35-$45 per person guideline for presents. You are not obligated to spend that amount. Some sponsors will spend more than recommended in the guidelines, while others who are creative or shop the pre-Christmas sales spend less.

WHAT DO I DO NOW THAT I HAVE MY FAMILY? You will receive a form that provides you with the age and clothing size for each member of the family, as well as their preference for presents (clothes and/or toys). Visiting the family will give you a chance to check sizes and choices more precisely.

CONTACT THE FAMILY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. This will relieve their anxiety about being adopted for Christmas and give you a chance to meet them in their own home. Don’t wait until a few days before Christmas – parents may start to panic as Christmas draws near.

When you reach out to the family, you can see for yourself what is (and may not be) appropriate to their circumstances. Most families are dealing with problems of unemployment, illness, or some other luckless condition. Some may not appear poor but may be burdened with the costs of devastating health problems. Many are single parents. Regardless of the reasons for the family’s need, we know you will extend respect, kindness, and the love of Christ just as you would want others to treat your own family.

If you do not want your adopted family to have your home phone number, dial *67 before you call the family. If you get a message such as “this phone does not accept blocked calls,” then you can sometimes dial 1-480 before the family’s number to get through. We have required all families to disable their call block by dialing #87 so their sponsors and SVdP can contact them.

TOY RECOMMENDATIONS. Please try to avoid expensive items (new bicycles, computers, Wii, Xbox 360’s and fashionable high-priced items such as $150 athletic shoes). Even if you have the means to give expensive presents, remember that these often create a problem between children, their neighbors and relatives after you leave. If you are determined to spend significantly more than $35-$45, we suggest you consider one $35 toy and then several practical items (books, puzzles, games, etc.). Many children request a bicycle – something that far exceeds the $35-$45 guideline. If you have access to good, safe, used bikes, this would be a solution. If you choose to buy a bicycle for a child, please also provide a helmet.

OTHER GIFTS. “Family” gifts – crock pots, electric frying pans, towels or bed linens – may be appropriate for parents or grandparents. But keep in mind even an 80-year-old grandmother would enjoy a personal gift.

INTERPRETERS. You may be assigned a family in which the adult(s) speak little or no English. We ask that you seek out a friend or neighbor who speaks enough Spanish to help as a translator when you visit the family. If you use the children in the family to translate, you might spoil Christmas surprises! St. Vincent de Paul has members who may be able to help, but these people quickly get swamped with requests. We hope that you will make a real effort to find a translator before calling on us.

WHEN TO DELIVER. Presents should be wrapped. Talk with the parents to find an appropriate time to deliver them. It’s nice to have presents under the tree for a couple of days before Christmas! Food can be delivered at the same time, although you may want to talk with the family about available refrigerator space. Over the years, we have even had families without the ability to cook a large turkey, so a pre-cooked meal was purchased.

OTHER ITEMS. In the past, some sponsors have also provided a Christmas tree and decorations. This is up to your discretion. We always recommend artificial trees because of fire hazards and old electric wiring in some homes. If decorations are provided, we recommend ornaments, tinsel, garlands, and other non-electrical items. If you are willing to purchase a tree, check first how much room the family has in their living space. If the family has very little space, you might instead consider a small Nativity scene which can be placed on a table.

Finally. Lack of a “thank you” from the family does not necessarily signify lack of gratitude. It’s difficult to depend on others for your family’s needs. Sometimes it’s too embarrassing or awkward. In the eyes of God, no act of kindness requires a “thank you” from the recipients.

On behalf of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, thank you for your kind and generous spirit. Through person-to-person contact, our hope is to bring love, peace, and joy to our suffering brother or sister.

As often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me. Matthew 25:40

DINNER SUGGESTIONS

Traditional

Item 2-3 People 4-6 People 7 or more

Turkey 12 lb. 15 lb. 18+ lbs.

Stuffing mix Sm. Box lg. box lg. box

Celery 1 2 3

Onion 1 2 3

Alum. Roast pan 1 1 1

Gravy 1 jar 2 jars 3 jars

Dinner Rolls 1bag 1 bag 2 bags

Marg./butter 1 lb. 1 lb. 1 lb.

Cranberry Sauce 1 can 1 can 2 cans

Peas 1 can 2 cans 3 cans

Potatoes or Yams 6 9 12

Milk ½ gal. 1 gal. 1 gal.

Seasonal pie 1 pie 1 pie 2 pies

Oranges 6 9 12

Mixed nuts 1 lb. 1 ½ lb. 2 lbs.

HISPANIC (Tamales)

Pork roast 5 lbs. 7 lbs. 10 lbs.

Corn husks ½ lb. 1 lb. 1 ½ lb.

Maseca 5 lbs. 7 lbs. 10 lbs.

Red Chili pods ½ lb. ½ lb. 1 lb.

Lard/Shortening 1 lb. 2 lbs. 2 lbs.

Corn or Flour tortillas 1 doz. 1 doz. 2 doz.

Refried beans/pinto beans 2 cans 3 cans 4 cans

Long grain rice 1lb. 2 lbs. 3 lbs.

Fresh green chiles 1 lb. 1 lb. 2 lb.

Kernel corn 1 can 2 cans 3 cans

Tomatoes 1 lb. 1 ½ lbs. 2 lbs.

Lettuce l head 1 head 2 heads

Fruit juice l lg. can 2 lg. cans 3 lg. cans

Cake mix l box 1 box 2 boxes

Sweetened Condensed milk 1 can 2 cans 3 cans

Oranges/Tangerines 6 9 12

For the traditional meals, the sponsor provides all of the ingredients. For tamales, ask the family if they want the ingredients or ready-made tamales. Making tamales is part of the fun of Christmas.

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