Imagine being a child during the holiday season, dreaming of a warm meal, a special gift, or a cozy jacket. You’re filled with hope and excitement, wishing for a holiday surprise. Sounds like the regular holiday dreams of any child, right? But for over 2,000 children in Santa Cruz County, that wish feels distant, perhaps even impossible.
These children and their families are facing incredibly hard times—struggling with homelessness, health challenges, and financial hardship. For the parents, the joy of the holidays is often overshadowed by worry. For some children, the chance to unwrap a holiday gift is just a hopeful wish, waiting to be fulfilled.
The good news is that you can help. The Volunteer Center’s Adopt-a-Family program makes it easy for you to grant those precious wishes. From adopting an entire family and filling their holiday wishlist, to purchasing a toy or two for kids in foster care, or volunteering your time to wrap, pack, and deliver gifts – you can make a difference!
Your generous support will provide holiday gifts, essential items like socks and toiletries, and a warm, nutritious holiday meal for these children, and their families:
- Lily, a single mom in North County, recently moved from a shelter to a small apartment with her kids, Emma and Leo. She works hard to create a happy home, but holiday gifts, warm clothes, and books are out of reach on her limited income.
- Carlos recently found housing for his family after months of homelessness. His sons, Jake and Max, are now thriving in school, but with winter approaching, they need essential items.
- Thelma and her 9-year-old grandson Victor lost their home in June. They’ve been living in a trailer parked on the highway in Boulder Creek, without hookups. Selma is doing her best, but she can barely afford gas for job searching. Victor’s father is deceased and his mother was recently incarcerated. The holidays feel out of reach, and a little kindness would go a long way for both of them.
Will you adopt one of these families this holiday season? Your gift has the power to fill their holiday with comfort, joy, and some much needed hope.
Please sign up to help now, so these families have their gifts and holiday essentials in time.
Here’s How You Can Help:
- Adopt a Family: When you adopt a family, you’ll do the shopping from the family wish list and deliver the toys to our warehouse in December.
- Donate and Let the Elves Shop for You: Our team of volunteer elves will shop, wrap, and deliver your gifts to the families. Your tax-deductible donations purchase gifts, essential items, and grocery gift cards for these families.
- Volunteer: Bring your friends, colleagues, or group members! Join our team of merry Elves and help wrap, pack, and deliver holiday cheer to the 2,000 kids on our list this year.
Let’s make this holiday special for families in need, just like one family shared last year:
“The past year has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. Losing hope at times – but then people like you come in and give gifts and create lifelong memories of kindness and caring.”
Please adopt a local family today. Visit www.scvolunteercenter.org or call our Adopt-a-Family Hotline at 831-457-9834 to learn more!
About the Volunteer Center: Connect for Good
At the Volunteer Center, we believe that a better world IS possible thanks to the everyday heroes who volunteer in our local community. That’s why we are dedicated to helping everyone find their perfect volunteer role. The Volunteer Center will connect you with an organization that matches your interests and availability.
- Search the Volunteer Center database of ALL volunteer opportunities
- Register as a volunteer so you can be alerted as new opportunities become available.
- Donate to support volunteer training or any of our 19 programs in senior care, literacy, mental health, or social justice.
The Volunteer Center has proudly served Santa Cruz County for 57 years! Our 19
The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Visit our website at scvolunteercenter.org.
