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WISH LIST FAQ’S - INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 2017
Instructions
Step one: Review the Frequently Asked Questions below to familiarize yourself with the way the Adopt A Family program operates.
Step two:A completedWish List Registration form,must besubmitted by a school or an authorized rnonprofit epresentative November 30, 2017. If we do not receive your form by the deadline date, we may not be able to accept your registration form.
Caution: If invited by multiple schools or agencies to participate in the holiday program, complete only one, and notify the other(s) that you have accepted the invitation to participate with another school or agency. You may become disqualified from the program if you register with more than one agency or school.
Step three: Watch for a letter in the mail from the School who invited you to participate. This letter will provide your Adopt A Family Gift Pick Up Authorization form, as well as providing you with information on when and where to pick up your gifts. If you do not see a letter in the mail by the week of December 4, please call your referring school and let them know.
Step four: You must bring your Adopt A Family Gift Pick Up Authorization form as your identification when gifts are picked up. Gifts may not be released without this form. You will be notified as to when you should come to pick up your gifts. If the time you are assigned does not work with your shcedule, please contact us at 707-931-4114 or email us at: .
Gift Pick-Up isThursday, December 13 and Friday, December 14, 4pm-8pm and
Saturday, December 16, 3pm – 8pm
We cannot guarantee your family will receive your gifts before the holiday if gifts are not arranged to be picked up on the specified date. Location will be provided at a later date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I / my family participate in the program?
You must be invited to participate by the one of our Nonprofit Agencies or the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. No direct applications or request will be accepted. The Sonoma Valley Holiday Program does not select any of the gift recipients.
Are all of my children eligible to receive gifts?
No. Children up to 22 years of age, living at home with their parents and currently enrolled in school, may be eligible. Please discuss with the authoized representative who is registering your family.
Who purchases the gifts my family requests?
You will be matched with a generous community donor who will shop for gifts for you and your family. Individuals, families, businesses, churches and service organizations “adopt” your family and shop for the gifts on your Wish List. Each member of your family, including the parents/guardians, should provide their clothing and shoe sizes, color preferences, and gift lists.
Will the donor purchase everything on the Wish List?
You should not expect to receive everything on the list. Please remember each donor is different, and each family is different in terms of size and need. It is not productive to compare the gifts your family receives to another family’s gifts. The wish list you submit is meant to be used as a shopping guide. The more detailed and thorough you are with sizes for family members and their different interests and wishes, the more likely you are to receive personal and appropriate gifts.
Can I ask for gift cards?
Yes. Many families and individuals find that especially for teenagers, gift cards can be easiest. However, we recommend that you do not ask for gift certificates only. In addition to asking for a Gift Card, We suggest you request a minimum of one specific gift for each individual in your family. Many donors enjoy buying gifts specifically for family members, rather than simply purchasing gift cards.
Will my gifts be given to me already wrapped?
It depends. We request that donors do not wrap gifts before they donate them. This ensures that we know everyone in your family is accounted for, as well as making it easier for us to tell if the gifts are appropriate and for the correct family/individual. It also enables you to see what your children will be receiving. We do encourage donors to donate their gifts with wrapping paper so parents can enjoy wrapping the gifts for their children. Parents, guardians and individuals gifts may be wrapped.
What do I need to bring with me to pick up my gifts?
You must bring your Gift Pick-Up Authorization form so we can verify your Unique ID # and ensure we give you the correct gifts. This is the only form of identification that you need to present.
How can we thank our donor?
When you arrive to pick up your gifts, we will have a card available for you to write a personal thank-you to your donor. If you want to bring a thank you note with you, that would be great.
Do I have to pick up my gifts?
Yes, unless you are a child less than 18 years of age, disabled or home bound. All other recipients will have pick up days designated for you to come and receive your donated gifts. You should arrange transportation for that day and make sure you have room for any items you requested. For example, if you asked for a bike for one of your children or a larger toy, even though we cannot guarantee your sponsor will buy that item, you should be sure to arrive with a vehicle large enough to contain the items you requested.
If I am a child, disabled or home bound, how do I arrange for my gifts to be delivered?
Your school will arrange for volunteers to bring you to our festive holiday distribution site to pick-up your gifts, or we will arrange delivery of your gifts if you are unable to join us. Please discuss with the school or your guardian at the time of registration.
How do I know if I am eligible and what is the registration process?
Eligibility is determined by our Nonprofit Partner or the School District, and registration is by invitation only. Registration forms will not be accepted directly from individuals or families. You must be an existing client of one of our Nonprofit Agencies, be a resident of Sonoma Valley, and be unable to provide gifts for your family this holiday season.
The registration process requires the School or an Authorized Representativeof a partner nonprofit to complete and submit your Adopt A Family Wish List registration form . If we do not receive your form by the deadline date, November 30, 2017, we maynot be able to accept your registration form. The referring Partner Agency or School District will give you instructions and information about gift pick-up dates and times.
What happens if I am invited to register for the program by multiple schools or partner agencies?
Complete and submit only one Adopt A Family Registration form and tell all other schools and agencies that you have already accepted an invitation. If multiple registration forms are submitted you could be disqualified from the program.
What happens if I cannot or do not pick up my gifts?
If you cannot pick up your gifts, Friday December 14, 4pm - 8pm, or Saturday, December 15, 10am – 2pm, you should arrange for a friend or family member to pick them up. They must present your Gift Pick-Up Authorization form. If there is no one available to help you, contact the school as soon as possible, to make alternative arrangements. We do not deliver gifts. You will need to arrange transportation for yourself to the distribution site far in advance so you can pick up your gifts. We cannot guarantee you will have your gifts before the holiday if they are not picked up by December 19. If we are unable to reach you and you do not communicate with our Holiday Coordinator by mid-January, your gifts will be donated.
How can I learn about volunteering with Sonoma Valley Holiday Program?
If you are interested in volunteering during the holidays, please indicate ‘YES’ to the question on the Wish List registration form, ‘Would you like to Volunteer?’, or go to our web site and complete a Volunteer Registration form, or email us at .