Adopt a Family for Christmas: There Are Many Ways to Have a Mean ingful Holiday

COMMUNITY NEWS

Adopt a Family for Christmas

There Are Many Ways to Have a Meaningful Holiday

The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County serves as the heart of holiday giving, coordinating with agencies and support networks across the county to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors have the support they need.

To make it easy for potential volunteers to connect with causes they care about, the Volunteer Center launched its annual Holiday Volunteer Guide, where individuals can easily search for volunteer opportunities that meet their personal interests.

Sponsored by Santa Cruz County Bank, the 2022 Holiday Guide offers a way for everyone to get involved with the causes they care about the most. The Holiday Volunteer Guide is at https:// www.scvolunteernow.org/holiday.

“This time of year, community members are looking for ways to connect and make their holiday celebrations more meaningful,” said Christine Thurston, director of volunteer connections at the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County. “There is something for everyone, no matter how much time or money you have to give. If you’re struggling to find just the right fit for giving back, we will help you find the perfect match for your needs and interests.”

Among those efforts is the Volunteer Center’s own Adopt-a-Family Project. For almost 40 years, the Volunteer Center and its nonprofit partners coordinate with the community to meet the needs of around 450 families struggling to make ends meet during the holidays.

One of these families is led by Crystal, a single mother of a 3-year-old daughter who is also expecting her second child, due Dec. 26. Tragically, Crystal lost her sister to alcoholism two years ago, and as a result, she adopted her now 6-year-old nephew. With two little children and one on the way, Crystal has been pursuing her dream of becoming an accountant and is currently enrolled in classes at Cabrillo.

Adopters can search for families like Crystal’s, who need some help making the holidays special. Using the search on the Adopt-a-Family website, donors and adopters can find families and their list of needs. Often, the needs are essential items as well as gifts. Crystal needs diapers and basic baby supplies, nursing tops for herself, and warm jackets for the kids. Her 6-year-old nephew dreams of learning guitar and her 3-year-old daughter wishes for a tea set this Christmas.

Ways to support the project include adopting a whole family, purchasing individual items or grocery gift cards, volunteering in the Adopt-a-Family warehouse to wrap and sort gifts, or donating funds to support the project. For information, visit https://scvolunteercenter. org/programs/adopt-a-family/

“I love helping families who are in need!” said Adopt-a-Family volunteer Jessyka Soto. “Sometimes families have hardships, but the children still have holiday wishes. Adopt-a-Family reminds them that they are special and the community cares…priceless gifts! The joy this program gives to so many homes is the reason I volunteer.”

Adopt or learn more about the project by calling the Adopt-a-Family Hotline at 831-457-9834. n

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Many deserving projects and programs in Santa Cruz County are in need of volunteers or financial support this holiday season. For details, see https://www.scvolunteernow.org/ holiday