Anyone ever sponsor or "adopt" a family for Christmas?

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se-alum

The Biggest Boss

13,948 posts
Nov 2, 2013 2:21 AM
sportchampps;1527660 wrote:My department at work always adopts 2 or 3 families for Christmas. Last year I went and dropped off the food and presents and it's pretty emotional. I'm sure we will be doing it again this year. I also do the big brother program thru my office and it's been a great experience. The kid I was given is great. We meet once a week for lunch during school. He has a great mom that I have met. She's doing everything she can as a single mom to raise her kid ( works and goes to night school). He is only 8 but I can tell it really affects him being poor. This year for his birthday he asked me if I could rent him snow dogs. I asked him why snowdogs and he said his friends got to see it in the theaters but he didn't get to go because it cost to much. I bought him the movie and also gave his mom a $100 give card to the theater so he could go with hai friends for now on. When he gets older I plan on taking him to some bluejackets and ohio state games. For Christmas I'm getting his mom a Meijers gift card and him a cheap laptop to use at home for his schoolwork. His mom already has internet but only had a old desktop she uses for school that can't do much.
This is awesome, and I know you don't do it for the recognition, but it's great that you do this. I interviewed to be a Big Brother once, but we decided with my work schedule and all the other things I was involved in, that we should wait until I trim down my responsibilities a bit, before I take on a little brother. I was disappointed, but also knew I didn't really have the time to commit fully, and didn't want to half-ass it. Hopefully, I will soon be able to make such a committment.
Nov 2, 2013 2:21am
said_aouita's avatar

said_aouita

Banned

8,532 posts
Nov 2, 2013 6:30 AM
Adopting poor people for Christmas is for poor people.
Nov 2, 2013 6:30am
V

vball10set

paying it forward

24,795 posts
Nov 2, 2013 7:19 AM
sportchampps;1527660 wrote:My department at work always adopts 2 or 3 families for Christmas. Last year I went and dropped off the food and presents and it's pretty emotional. I'm sure we will be doing it again this year. I also do the big brother program thru my office and it's been a great experience. The kid I was given is great. We meet once a week for lunch during school. He has a great mom that I have met. She's doing everything she can as a single mom to raise her kid ( works and goes to night school). He is only 8 but I can tell it really affects him being poor. This year for his birthday he asked me if I could rent him snow dogs. I asked him why snowdogs and he said his friends got to see it in the theaters but he didn't get to go because it cost to much. I bought him the movie and also gave his mom a $100 give card to the theater so he could go with hai friends for now on. When he gets older I plan on taking him to some bluejackets and ohio state games. For Christmas I'm getting his mom a Meijers gift card and him a cheap laptop to use at home for his schoolwork. His mom already has internet but only had a old desktop she uses for school that can't do much.
Ironman92;1527772 wrote:My school really got into it big for several years but it got to the point the same families expected us to do it and many of the families didn't even appreciate.

I always take a family on my own and I always try to find a family that doesn't have a lot...but they have good kids and maybe the Dad is now laid off or lost his job completely....those families light up with enjoyment when they see the gifts and are so appreciative for the help that year.

A good story from our school......about 6 or 7 years ago a very good family but borderline poor (dad worked but they could've lived better on welfare)......well Dad was injured and couldn't work and Mom came with tears in her eyes for help that Christmas. We jumped on board because they were good parents and they had great kids. We loaded them up pretty good......EVERY year since that same family has insisted they we accept their $100 donation every year to our Christmas fund to help those families.
Nice, reps to you both ;)
Nov 2, 2013 7:19am
V

vball10set

paying it forward

24,795 posts
Nov 2, 2013 7:25 AM
justincredible;1527671 wrote:I want no part of actually giving them the gifts. I just want to be able to drop off the gifts to the organization and have them take care of the rest.
IMO, that would be the coolest part, as seeing the excitement and appreciation on their faces would carry me through the Holiday season. I think that the "adopting" of families in need is the ultimate Christmas gift, so kudos for bringing it up.
Nov 2, 2013 7:25am
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Nov 2, 2013 8:46 AM
Wife and I adopt two family through our church, shoe box for Christmas program and we buy $1000.00 worth of $25.00 giant eagle gift cards to give to unexpected shopper and poor families. For thanksgiving we deliver 6 complete turkey dinner fixing to families and I donate 500.00 to the food bank for turkey
Nov 2, 2013 8:46am
Devils Advocate's avatar

Devils Advocate

Brudda o da bomber

4,539 posts
Nov 2, 2013 11:35 AM
Belly35;1527856 wrote:Wife and I adopt two family through our church, shoe box for Christmas program and we buy $1000.00 worth of $25.00 giant eagle gift cards to give to unexpected shopper and poor families. For thanksgiving we deliver 6 complete turkey dinner fixing to families and I donate 500.00 to the food bank for turkey
Your President approves.
Nov 2, 2013 11:35am
S

sportchampps

Senior Member

7,361 posts
Nov 2, 2013 12:12 PM
The good thing about the big brother program is if you start with a younger kid it doesn't take much time. With the younger kids your more expected to come in on your lunch break once a week and have lunch and read a book or play a game. the kid I'm currently with loves connect four so we eat and play a few games. Your not really expected to buy gifts or anything but it's hard not to as they become a friend. When their younger your not really supposed to do any outside of the program activities. As he gets older though you can start going to movies or sporting events.
Nov 2, 2013 12:12pm
S

sportchampps

Senior Member

7,361 posts
Nov 2, 2013 12:12 PM
BTW sorry justin for getting off topic but it's a good program
Nov 2, 2013 12:12pm
C

cat_lover

Senior Member

2,388 posts
Nov 2, 2013 1:33 PM
Every year my family does the "Angel Tree" program through the Salvation Army. You pick a random child name off of the tree and buy them what they have listed on the card.
Nov 2, 2013 1:33pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Nov 3, 2013 12:07 AM
vball10set;1527832 wrote:IMO, that would be the coolest part, as seeing the excitement and appreciation on their faces would carry me through the Holiday season. I think that the "adopting" of families in need is the ultimate Christmas gift, so kudos for bringing it up.
It just seems like it would be awkward. I would want the mom to be able to enjoy the holidays with her kids and not worry about some strange guy dropping stuff off for them. I like the anonymity.
Nov 3, 2013 12:07am
H

hang_loose

Senior Member

802 posts
Nov 3, 2013 3:06 AM
Belly35;1527856 wrote:Wife and I adopt two family through our church, shoe box for Christmas program and we buy $1000.00 worth of $25.00 giant eagle gift cards to give to unexpected shopper and poor families. For thanksgiving we deliver 6 complete turkey dinner fixing to families and I donate 500.00 to the food bank for turkey
Seriously Belly35, I : thumbup: you if you're telling the truth (hard telling with you though). I don't go through churches (which I may try sometime) but I try to help anyone who makes an effort to help themselves ... Especially Friends & they don't have a clue who Santa is;) (but some of them & their family needed a little help). They won't say anything about Santa's gifts after the holidays (pride maybe) but I hope they pay it forward one day. Won't say how much I give out but your getting close to my neighborhood.

I do like your turkey dinner concept though. Going to look into it.
Nov 3, 2013 3:06am
V

vball10set

paying it forward

24,795 posts
Nov 3, 2013 6:54 AM
justincredible;1528265 wrote:It just seems like it would be awkward. I would want the mom to be able to enjoy the holidays with her kids and not worry about some strange guy dropping stuff off for them. I like the anonymity.

Point taken, and again, nice gesture.
Nov 3, 2013 6:54am
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Nov 3, 2013 7:31 AM
Devils Advocate;1527902 wrote:Your President approves.
i give because I want to give back. My mom an I lived poor and in the projects, people helped us. I also give because I can and by given I receive back more blessing.

There are lots more people who need help now.... Wonder why...
Nov 3, 2013 7:31am
reclegend22's avatar

reclegend22

Cool Hand Luke

8,772 posts
Nov 3, 2013 8:05 PM
Growing up my church served as a sponsor for Operation Christmas Child, which is filling one or two shoe boxes full of toys for a boy or girl, and I always did that, and still do.

When I was younger, one year my parents adopted a single mother family to give presents to for Christmas. I remember my Dad wanting to show up at the house on Christmas morning to deliver the gifts, but my mom said absolutely not, that the mother of the children should get to take the credit for the presents and put them under the tree for her kids like any other parent does. Talk about ruining the magic of Christmas for those kids by having an ordinary human dressed in street clothes bring them to your door.

As Justin pointed out, the most sincere gift is anonymous.
Nov 3, 2013 8:05pm
H

hang_loose

Senior Member

802 posts
Nov 4, 2013 2:12 AM
Keep on rockin Belly35, I will too!!!
Nov 4, 2013 2:12am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Nov 13, 2013 3:54 PM
We ended up going through the local Salvation Army and got our family packet today. We requested a single mother with at least one boy and of course we get a single mother with just a daughter. And of course the things she asked for relate to One Direction and Demi Levato (no idea who that is or how you would spell it).
Nov 13, 2013 3:54pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Nov 13, 2013 3:57 PM
Good for you. Reps when I get home
Nov 13, 2013 3:57pm
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sleeper

Legend

27,879 posts
Nov 13, 2013 4:34 PM
justincredible;1535143 wrote:We ended up going through the local Salvation Army and got our family packet today. We requested a single mother with at least one boy and of course we get a single mother with just a daughter. And of course the things she asked for relate to One Direction and Demi Levato (no idea who that is or how you would spell it).
Probably trying to cure your obvious sexism.
Nov 13, 2013 4:34pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Nov 13, 2013 6:16 PM
sleeper;1535171 wrote:Probably trying to cure your obvious sexism.
Oh?
Nov 13, 2013 6:16pm