Adopt-a-Family Holiday Tradition

Last fall, when I was planning our annual Friendsgiving dinner, I stumbled across Vista del Camino’s Holiday Adopt-a-Family program. I told my friends about it and most people spent a few extra bucks and we ended up with enough for our Adopt-a-Family to have a full Thanksgiving feast. Later, we enjoyed a mom’s morning to collect gifts for our Adopt-a-Family for Christmas. We were so inspired by Mattress Firm’s amazing donation of two mattresses for the children, that we also pulled together enough money to buy a bunk bed frame, new bedding & pajamas, clothes, two bikes, and toys. We are incredibly fortunate to have such generous friends and family, who all pitched in what they could.

Vista del Camino is a division of the City of Scottsdale’s Human Services department. They provide services to Scottsdale residents to help prevent homelessness and assist people in crisis to help maintain self-sufficiency. They run several major services each year including: a Back-to-School Program, Hydration Station, Career Center & Job Preparation Program, Food Bank, and Holiday Adopt-A-Family Program.

In 2016, Vista del Camino and Scottsdale Community Partners were able to help over 400 families in need have a brighter holiday, thanks to the generous donations of citizens and corporations in the area. Over 450 Thanksgiving meals were provided to Scottsdale families and 630 Scottsdale children were supported by the Holiday Program gifts.

Are you interested in helping a family this year? Vista del Camino asks that if you register to Adopt-a-Family for Thanksgiving, you provide everything on the food list. If you decide to also adopt your family for the holidays, they’ll ask that you provide three gifts per child and a grocery gift card for the family. To Adopt-a-Family, please fill out a sponsor form. Vista del Camino will match you with a family who has passed their screening process. Finally, you will receive a brief biography and a wish list for your family.

If this isn’t in your family’s budget, there are other options…keep reading!

You may also donate items to help complete Thanksgiving food boxes and holiday gifts. Please see the wish list. You can also make a monetary donation any time of the year. If volunteering your time is more your style, you can view the opportunities here.

I enjoy bargain hunting and use that to stretch my money as far as possible for food and gifts. I find so much joy in sharing the tradition of giving back to our community with our daughter. When we were browsing the most recent Target toy sale, she said “I don’t need anything! Save it for the kids at Christmas.” (referring to our Adopt-a-Family). She’s even been saving some of the pennies she finds to buy candy and small toys for our next Adopt-a-Family.

Happy holidays!