Gifting Hope for the Holidays; 83 Families Supported Through Adopt-a-Family

The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and giving. For many families in our community, however, it can also be a time of financial stress and unmet needs. That’s where United Way’s Adopt-a-Family program steps in to make a difference, spreading holiday cheer and providing essential support to families in Gratiot and Isabella Counties.

Through partnerships with local schools, United Way’s Adopt-a-Family program identified families who could use a helping hand during the holidays. Every school in both counties was invited to refer families in need, ensuring that the program reached those most in need of support. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of 78 business and family sponsors, we were able to assist 83 families, comprised of 389 children and caregivers.

Sponsors played a vital role in bringing this program to life. They had the option to personally shop for and wrap gifts or to contribute funds and let United Way staff and volunteers handle the shopping on their behalf. The gifts purchased went far beyond toys and festive surprises. Sponsors fulfilled Christmas wishlists with items like clothing, winter boots, and bedding, and they provided basic necessities such as pillows, diapers, cleaning supplies, and toiletries. Altogether, over $63,000 worth of gifts and essential items were donated to families across our community.

Volunteers from the Mt. Pleasant Jaycees and the Gratiot Young Professionals Network lent their time and energy to shop for and wrap hundreds of presents. Their dedication ensured that every family received their gifts in time to celebrate the season.

The impact of this program is best measured in the smiles of the children and the relief felt by caregivers. For many families, these gifts represented more than just material support; they were a reminder that their community cares.

On behalf of the 83 families supported through Adopt-a-Family 2024, United Way extends a heartfelt thank you to every sponsor, volunteer, and school staff member who made this program possible. We’d also like to give a shoutout to the Gratiot-Isabella RESD and LaBelle Realty for letting us use some temporary space to store the gifts until families could pick them up! Your generosity and compassion turned the holiday season into a time of hope and happiness for so many in our community.