Each year, generous donors build a brighter holiday season for families in need through Oakland Family Services’ Adopt A Family program. Because of a tumultuous 2020, the families we serve are feeling even more stress and financial strain than usual as the holidays approach.

Our donors have felt the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, as well, and unfortunately many had to a step back in their holiday giving this year. Last year’s Adopt A Family program was able to provide gifts for more than 900 children from more than 350 families in need, but this year’s program has so far only been able to match 533 children from 226 families. While we are incredibly grateful for every donor who has stepped up to create holiday magic for these families, we also have many more families on our waiting list who need help at the holiday.

In order to reduce risk of spreading COVID-19 amongst our donors, families, staff and community, Oakland Family Services asked Adopt A Family donors to provide gift cards in lieu of presents this year. Families provided wish lists that suggested which stores they would like gift cards from and listed items they hope to use the gift cards to purchase. Many listed necessities like winter coats and boots on their children's wish lists. Others plan to purchase children’s books and toys, gas, and household items like cleaning supplies and bedsheets. The deadline for donors to drop off their gift cards to Oakland Family Services is Dec. 2, which gives families time to shop before the holidays.

With this deadline approaching quickly and Giving Tuesday coming up on Dec. 1, Oakland Family Services is now pivoting away from recruiting donors to adopt specific families and is focusing instead on raising money for our Adopt A Family fund. The agency will use donations to this fund to purchase gift cards for as many of the unmatched families as possible. We typically allot $50-$75 per child, plus $100-$150 for family household items like sheets, cleaning supplies, pots and pans, etc.

“While we are so appreciative of the many donors who have adopted families so far, we would love to be able to provide gift cards for the families who remain on our waiting list,” said Nikki Serra, volunteer and engagement coordinator. “Donations to this program make all the difference in our ability to provide support to unadopted families. This Giving Tuesday, donations to Adopt A Family could give a mother the chance to shop for new clothes for her baby, or give a father the opportunity to pick out the exact Lego set his daughter has been asking for.”

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving celebrated annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The day is meant to bring people together to support their favorite causes and make a difference in their communities. Donating to our Adopt A Family fund this Giving Tuesday (and encouraging your friends and family to do the same!) will have a tangible impact on the children we serve and give families something positive to remember from an otherwise difficult time in their lives. This is also a great opportunity to support Adopt A Family without the cost of adopting an entire family. Every little bit helps, even if you have just $10 to spare.

You can donate to our Oakland Family Services’ Adopt A Family program at www.oaklandfamilyservices.org/buildbrighterfutures. We will be accepting donations to the Adopt A Family fund through Wednesday, Dec. 2.

If you would like to drop off cash or a check in person by Dec. 2, please use the black locked mailbox at our Pontiac office, which is located at 114 Orchard Lake Road, Pontiac, MI 48314. The mailbox is located outside of the Orchard Lake Road entrance to the parking lot. Please place your donation in an envelope labeled “Adopt A Family fund.”