Adopt-A-Family has a bigger meaning this year

It’s hard to imagine but yes, the holidays are right around the corner.  Football, sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes are the hype for the month of October, but it is also time to think about how yourself or your organization will support those in need this holiday season. As I look back to last year I couldn’t believe even during the height of the pandemic our staff in the Workforce Development Center was able to identify and provide holiday gifts to over 30 families. We received an overwhelming support that we did not expect to receive during the pandemic and our program participants and families couldn’t have been more thankful for the support they received. Adopt-A-Family has grown tremendously over the years which allows us to serve more families during the holiday season as the need in our community grows.

Unfortunately the pandemic is not over and there are many more families in need that could use our support during the holiday season to fill some warmth and positivity in their lives.  For over 10 years, the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce has hosted the Adopt-A-Family program, connecting businesses and organizations with hundreds of families in need right here in Dutchess County.  Families or individual youth will be adopted this year through our Workforce Development Center Programming that operates here through the Chamber Foundation and Chamber of Commerce.  Businesses or individuals that are interested in participating will be given a family and a list of their needs and wants. It is with hopes that as a business or individual you are able to purchase the items that the family needs and our chamber staff will make sure those gifts get delivered right before the holidays.

We understand that things can get very busy during the holidays and some people may not have time to shop but still want to give back, so we do accept monetary donations as well.  This will be my 8^th year participating in Adopt-a-Family as a staff member here at the chamber, and the hard work of coordinating this effort is well worth it when I get to see the family’s faces as we deliver the gifts to them. Let’s wrap 2021 up by bringing some holiday cheer to our community.  Please, consider participating in Adopt-A-Family this year.  For more information please contact me, Katrina Gobins, Workforce Program Manager at 845-454-1700 x1024 or katrina@dcrcoc.org.