WELLINGTON COUNTY – As the holiday season approaches, the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington is calling on the community to help bring hope, dignity, and joy to families facing hardship. The Adopt-A-Family program is now underway, and with 1,630 families already referred by local social service agencies, the need is greater than ever.
“This year, we’ve seen a 5% increase in the number of families already referred to us, compared to this time last year, and 497 families are still waiting to be matched with a donor,” said Megan Harron, Director of Programs. “So many folks in the community are struggling, but every act of generosity –whether it’s adopting a family or making a donation –helps give the gift of hope and joy, igniting a belief that better days are possible.”
Through Adopt-A-Family, donors are matched with local families to provide personalized gifts for children and youth from their ‘wish list’, along with gift cards to help cover essentials and food needs over the holidays. The program offers a way for the community to come together and ensure no family is left behind during what can be a very difficult time of year.
“The holidays should be a time of wonder, not worry,” said Karyn Kirkwood, Executive Director of the Children’s Foundation. “Every family we support is living a story of resilience, and every gift delivered through Adopt-A-Family is a reminder that they matter. This program helps ensure children don’t feel ‘less than’ because of their circumstances –that they’re celebrated and included. It’s about restoring dignity, sparking joy, and keeping the magic of the season alive.”
Donors can choose to shop for a family or make a financial contribution, which will be used to purchase grocery-needs gift cards and fulfill wish lists for families still waiting to be matched.
To sign up as a donor or learn more, visit www.childrensfoundation.org or call 519-826-9551 x 136. The time to act is now – help the Children’s Foundation bring hope and joy home for the holidays.
