Adopt a Family Christmas program from Michigan VOA.
VOA of Michigan (Volunteers of America) runs an annual Adopt a Family program during the holidays. It generally runs from September, through Thanksgiving, and up to the end of the Christmas shopping season in late December. The service provides kids, children, seniors, and really entire families with everything from free holiday meals to Christmas toys, gifts, Thanksgiving turkeys, and more. Find how to apply below and details.
The program combines generous sponsors with needy households. Those donors can be businesses, individuals, churches, non-profits, and really anyone who wants to give back. This is where the Adopt a Family term comes into play. VOA operates this service across Michigan, including in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint, Oakland County, and the entire state.
As far as who is assisted by Volunteers of America in Michigan, the Adopt a Family program is all inclusive. There may be help given to people from a diverse background. It of course includes kids, who often need free Christmas toys, clothing, games, etc. But it does not stop there. The entire household can be given Thanksgiving food boxes or Christmas meals. Parents may be given some critical items too, but it is generally more “practical” and may be clothes for work, household supplies, and similar goods. Many single moms and dads turn to the Adopt a child program for their holiday presents.
The Michigan VOA Adopt A Family also helps others too. There may be visitors who drop in at senior homes to spread holiday cheer. Or they visit the sick and ill in hospitals, or the Michigan organization sets up soup kitchens across Michigan to feed the hungry and homeless. So in effect many Christmas and Thanksgiving services are available.
Sponsors
Donations are always needed. This can be in the form of sponsors, or cash contributions. In all cases all of the funds, gifts, and stuff contributed will go directly to needy families in Michigan. The key difference between the ways to donate is that a sponsor will be buying specifically for one child, household, or family Cash donations go into a “pool” of funds and that money is used by VOA to provide even more support at the holidays.
Many different items are needed. Generally, some or all of the following is needed by the Volunteer organization in Michigan. Donate either directly, or contribute cash, for the following:
- Christmas gift items, including toys, books, games, electronics, and more. Almost anything can be a resent for a low income household.
- Food, including at Thanksgiving as well as Christmas. Turkey meals, hams, bread, and more.
- Winter weather clothing is always needed at the holidays. This includes winter boots, hats, gloves, mittens, and more.
- VOA Adopt a Family also requires traditional volunteers to drop in to visit the volunteers, including homebound or senior citizens.
- As noted, cash donations can always be used as well by the non-profit.
Applicants for Adopt a Family
The goal is to help the needy in Michigan, no matter their age. Children are to be given (at minimum) one toy as well as article of clothing at Christmas. Of course, there will be no cost to them. The exact amount of goods, and make up of the items, will of course depend on how many donations come in. If there are more sponsors, and they give more, then the child can be given more help from the VOA Michigan Adopt a Family Christmas program.
While gifts and food may be passed out throughout December, applications generally need to be done much earlier. The deadline may be as early as late November. To apply for help at Christmas, the website is https://aaf.voami.org/applicants/register
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