ThisWeek CW 11/13/2014
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2014/11/10/canal-winchester-human-services-adopt-a-family-program-expected-to-aid-hundreds.html
For families in need, the holidays can be an additional stress when trying to provide a traditional experience that many people take for granted.
Since Canal Winchester Human Services began in 1955, providing holiday assistance has always been an important service, according to administrator Penny Miller, and this year is no exception.
“As the food pantry numbers increase and emergency assistance requests continue to be made more frequently, it is anticipated that Adopt-a-Family will be needed more than ever this year,” Miller said.
The program aided about 200 families last year and she expects it will help at least that many this year.
Since 2005, Adopt-a-Family has been a one-stop approach to providing holiday assistance. Everyone seeking help is offered good, used coats, hats and mittens for each family member. In addition, Miller said, each family will receive a “generous” food basket, which includ-es everything needed for a Christmas dinner as well as other items to help them through the holidays.
“There are lots of holiday projects available through central Ohio that provide various types of assistance,” Miller said. “Some offer toys, some clothes, while there are places to get coats and, of course, many local food pantries offer holiday baskets.
“The Canal Winchester community should be very proud that because of the generous support we receive at Human Services, we are able to encompass all of the holiday needs.”
Miller said all children who are “adopted” through the program will receive a couple of clothing outfits, shoes and a few items from their wish list. Making this happen is, of course, a huge effort involving all of the community.
“It is truly amazing and heartwarming when you stop to realize how everyone comes together to make this happen,” she said. “The staff and students of the Canal Winchester school district, the congregations of most of our local churches, the civic organizations, local businesses and several individual families all contribute to the success of Adopt-a-Family.
“Without the collaboration of so many, it would not be possible to accomplish this feat,” Miller said.
Adopt-a-Family is available to qualified, underserved residents of the Canal Winchester, Lithopolis and Bloom Carroll school districts, and families living in rural Fairfield County. Applications are available online at cwhumanservices. org, or they can be picked up at the Frances Steube Community Center, 22 S. Trine St., and at the Community Food Pantry, 360 W. Waterloo St.
The deadline for submitting applications is Dec. 1.
“We have many ways for givers to participate, either adopting a child or a family, including sponsoring or contributing to a gift card tree, a food drive, a toy drive, etc.
We are also in need of good, clean used coats and new hats and mittens,” Miller said. “Financial contributions are also appreciated and are used to support children and families that we are unable to adopt out.”
Donations are tax-deductible; checks should be made payable to Canal Winchester Human Services. For additional information contact Miller at penny.cwhs@gmail.com or by calling the office at 614-834-3888.
“We hope that everyone in a position to give will partner with Human Services to make the holidays a little better for our neighbors in need,” Miller said. “There is no better way to fully experience the spirit of Christmas than participating in this program.”