Adopt-A-Family 2022: another year, another time for giving

The holiday season will be fast approaching and we all know what that means. Yes, Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Yule. Bring on the bonfires, s’mores, hot chocolate and pumpkin spice everything! Take a deep breath in…can’t you smell the rain and see those leaves changing already? Bliss! For most people, this time of year brings a great deal of reflection. What memories come to your mind when you think about the holidays? 

For single parents, this time of year is both a blessing and a curse. Of course, every mother wants to see their children be happy during the holidays. We want our children to receive the gifts that they have been desperately wanting all year. Hearing the pitter patter of feet walking into the room at 3am to wake you up because presents were left for them brings the utmost joyous feeling. However, not many single parents and/or struggling families get to have this experience. Some may not have the support needed to pay the everyday utilities or expenses. There are circumstances and barriers that prevent families from having a holiday worth remembering. No mother wants to go through this. 

People say it’s the time for giving back. That is exactly what The Chamber Foundation and its community partners do. They give back to the families in need. For over a decade, The Chamber Foundation’s Workforce Development Center organizes an Adopt-a-Family Program each year to help give our participants and their families the best holiday experience possible. We choose families from four of our Workforce Programs: The Youth One Stop, the Career Action Center at Poughkeepsie High School, The Next Gen Career Academy, or the Workforce Connections Program, and work with our local businesses to match up the families with the right organizations for gift donations. 

The families create a wish list that highlights their needs, which is then sent to the adopting businesses. The gifts can be from the family’s wish list or a monetary donation for a holiday food basket. The business will work directly with that family’s case manager to coordinate the pickup or delivery of gifts, usually the week before Christmas.

Last year the Adopt-A-Family program assisted more than 30 families that were in need and we look forward to continuing the tradition and working with our community partners. 
We ask that those who are interested in participating in this wonderful program and want more information to please contact Ashley Adorno at 845-454-1700 x1002 or aadorno@dcrcoc.org. Thank you and Happy Holidays!