Enrich your own holiday by adopting a family

The Douglas/Elbert County Task Force has received a record number of applications from families wishing to be adopted this year, with over 170 appications to date and more expected. Last year 155 families applied to be adopted, 140 percentmore than the previous year. Only 110 were adopted.

This can be a rewarding experience for your family as you involve your children in shopping and choosing gifts. Businesses and organizations are also encouraged to participate.

The process of adopting a family for the holidays is simple. You, your family, business or group reguest a family or families of any composition - single mother or father with children, two-parent families, families of any number or seniors living alone. You will be assigned a family based on your request.

Those in need have filled out a short form with information about the members of the family and a few items that are on each person's wish list for the holidays. Start your shopping with this info or you may contact your family for a better idea of their needs.

You will arrange with the family directly to deliver their holiday gifts to them. Businesses, large corporations, churches or community groups may wish to adopt several families.

If you prefer to not shop but want to participate consider a monetary gift to the Task Force Holiday Fund and we will help those who may not get adopted. Gift cards for food or retail cards and gift certificates for movies, haircuts, music, books, et cetera, make great gifts for families and teens.

To Adopt-A-Family or make a contribution toward this program, please contact a receptionist at 303-688-1114 Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and noon or contact Nani Lindig at nanidee@aol.com or 720-939-1011.