Helping the neediest

Share Our Selves is celebrating 40 years of benevolence, with the ruby anniversary of its Adopt A Family program.

“It started with some women making sandwiches in their kitchen and giving them to migrant workers,” longtime Adopt A Family volunteer and Coordinator Pat Kramer said. “And just look at where we are now.”

Last year, more than 7,000 children and their families were given holiday cheer by the Adopt A Family program.

More than 1,650 local families are in need of gifts and food in 2009. Local residents, businesses and organizations that are paired with families provide a holiday dinner and/or at least two new gifts for each child in an adopted family. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish signs up for 150 families each year; corporations like Hot Topic and United Health Care also make large contributions, as well as area schools.

SOS has developed a case management program that, through coordinated resources, results in its clients seeing significant improvement in their lives, from medical aid to information about government assistance programs.

“It’s so much more than just the stuff,” Kramer said.

This year has seen notable demographic changes due to the economic upheaval.

Demand is up 40% since April, and SOS is working with many newly poor clients.

The organization said the number of Adopt a Family donors is slightly down this year, and some donors are opting to provide either food or gifts to their adopted families, rather than both.

Conversely, they also are seeing many new donors who had never been affiliated with the program.

Many organizations, families and co-workers are opting to adopt families together or donate funds to SOS this year, rather than exchange gifts.

Newport-Mesa Unified School District Supt. Jeffrey Hubbard and his executive cabinet have chosen to do so, and many families have called SOS to set up donations.

Kramer recalled one extended family of about 14 people that was spread out across the country. Each member of the family had chosen a charity to benefit in lieu of sending gifts, Kramer said. One member chose to adopt an SOS family. The family member then sent a letter detailing their efforts to their relatives.

On Christmas morning, each relative got to open 13 letters from around the country and learn of their family members’ philanthropy.

Another donor was herself a beneficiary of SOS about 15 years ago. She went from being on the street to having a career at a continuation high school.

Families chosen to be beneficiaries of the Adopt A Family program are those in the most dire straits in Costa Mesa and Santa Ana, and were nominated directly by their children’s schools. They may have faced the death of a parent, be in the middle of a child’s cancer treatment, or be out on the streets.

Many families are sharing living quarters with others, so some Adopt A Family lists include the wishes of adult children, grandparents or other relatives.

Some donors have specific requests, like a family with children whose ages mirror their own children’s, or a donor seeking to benefit a single mother and her family in honor of their own single mother. SOS does its best to match up requests, but also appreciates donors without restrictions.

Some children have specific toy wishes, like a Lightning McQueen car; others are more in need of shoe store gift cards or a warm coat.

Donations can be dropped off between 8 and 11 a.m. Dec. 17 at the Orange County Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Organizations with multiple adopted families are asked to deliver Dec. 15 or 16. After the drop-off period, the adopted families’ schools come by to pick up the unwrapped donations, which then are distributed to the families.

Volunteers also are being sought to work at the fairgrounds, performing tasks like setting up, packing boxes and unloading cars Dec. 15, 16 or 17. The biggest need for volunteers will be the morning of Dec. 17. Costa Mesa High School students with special needs have made an annual tradition of the event.

Monetary donations also are accepted; 100% of the funds raised go toward gifts for children. For more information, contact Vanessa Ontiveros at (949) 515-5400, ext. 39, or e-mail AAF2009@shareourselves.org.

To adopt a family, download a form at shareourselves.org and e-mail it to AAF2009@ shareourselves.org, or fax it to (949) 515-5804. Forms should be sent in by Dec. 4.

Share The Warmth

Following are some families locals can adopt this year through Share Our Selves’ 40th Annual Adopt A Family program.

To participate, donors are asked to provide each child in the family with at least two new gifts, or provide a family with a complete holiday dinner; ideally, donors would provide both.

To adopt a family, note the family’s number and call to say which family you would like to adopt. This is the first list of the season; watch for future lists. The Adopt A Family program can be reached at (949) 515-5400, ext. 39 or AAF2009@shareourselves.org.

FAMILY No. 268

This single mother is struggling to make ends meet and provide the basics for her children.

All three boys are special education children, and every day is a struggle for their mom. She lets her kids eat first, and then eats whatever is left over.

Thank you for your generosity.

Mother: A gift card for Target or Wal-Mart would be appreciated.

Child, 4, male: Trucks, cars, bike or a gift card to Toys-R-Us.

Child, 3, male: Diego from Dora the Explorer, Scooby-Doo, books, Tonka toys.

Child, 3, male: Tonka toys, cars, Diego from Dora the Explorer, Scooby-Doo or a gift card to Toys-R-Us.

FAMILY No. 1157

This family is homeless. They are in great need of warm winter clothing, blankets and a fun toy to lift their spirits. Mom would really appreciate a grocery store gift card so she can keep her children nourished. Your generosity will go a long way in helping them move forward. They will be very appreciative.

Mother: Basic toiletries, clothing, food; anything will help this family in crisis.

Child, 10, male: Clothing, shoes, toys.

Child, 8, male: Clothing, shoes, toys.

Child, 5, male: Clothing, toys.

FAMILY No. 280

This single mother of two is without a job. Her youngest son is autistic. Their needs are many. With your help they will have a nice holiday season. Extra food and warm clothing are always needed and appreciated. Thank you for your support.

Mother: Sweater or jacket

Child, 10, male: Sweater or jacket; likes to read chapter books and would love a remote control car.

Child, 8, male: Sweater or jacket; loves books and cars.

FAMILY No. 367

The father is working full time to support his family. The oldest daughter is baby sitting to try to make some extra money. They lost their mother while she was delivering her baby daughter. This tragedy has completely changed the house. Dad had to quit his second job to care for the family. They moved from a house to a shared apartment to save money. They all sleep in one bedroom and the living room. Please help this family through their hard times.

Father: Just wants gifts for his kids.

Child, 15, female: Clothing, gift certificates.

Child, 14, female: Clothing, gift certificates.

Child, 12, male: Clothing, gift certificates.

Child, 5, female: Clothing, toys, books.

Child, 5, male: Clothing, toys, books.

Child, 3 months, female: Clothing, toys.