As we move into the fall season, we are excited to plan for the 2017 Annual JFS { Holiday Gift Card program (formerly Adopt-a-Family). As you know, the Adopt-A-Family program has provided gifts and holiday cheer to at-risk families and older adults during the winter holiday season for the past 25 years.
Last year, through your generosity, we supported 250 families in need (over 400 adults and children) with Christmas and Hanukkah gifts. This year we hope to assist an even greater number of families and adults in need.
To better serve our clients this year, we are moving to a new format that will provide our most needy clients with an opportunity to experience the joy of choosing their own gifts, affirming their autonomy, and supporting continuity for family traditions during the holiday season. We appreciate that some of our donors enjoy buying gifts for others; however, we have found that the majority of donors over the past few years have valued the flexibility and freedom to purchase gift cards for those in need.
We would like to share a thank you letter we received from a family last year:
“Just 2 years ago my daughter and I were living out of our car. My daughter has Cerebral Palsy and her treatments and care are expensive, so I handle most of it on my own. After I lost my job, I couldn’t find a new position that allowed for the same flexible schedule. After we hit rock bottom, I found JFS. They helped us get groceries and community resources at JFS { SOVA. They also connected me with HaMercaz, a program which helped us find qualified services for my daughter, and in turn, allowed me to get back to work knowing she was in good hands. Our first holiday season in our new apartment was made even more joyful by the generous donations of gift cards from JFS. I was able to purchase necessities for our home and give my daughter a beautiful sweater. I don’t know where we’d be today if it weren’t for JFS.”
We hope you will consider participating in the JFS { Holiday Gift Card Program this year to help these families celebrate the holidays with joy. Please fill out the form and return by October, 1st.
For more information, please contact Jasmine Lopez at (213) 260-7926 or via email at jlopez@jfsla.org.