As my inbox is flooded with shopping deals, I am reminded there are families who might not be able to give or get any gifts. For those of us who are more fortunate, this presents a great opportunity to adopt one of these families and experience the true meaning of the season.
Last year we adopted a family for the holidays. It was a nice way to give in a meaningful and more personal way for our entire family, shopping and wrapping gifts for specific people. We felt more connected to them and our community and talked a lot more about the situation of a family less fortunate than ours. The thank you card we received after shared the great joy and gratitude of each of the family members and sealed the deal that it should be an annual tradition.
Join us this year in adopting a family, there are so many local and national (e.g. adopt a military family) options!
In San Francisco, we chose to adopt a family through Compass Family Services that serves families who are homeless or at imminent risk and lack the resources to buy holiday gifts.
A quick online search will yield lots of options, or ask your networks, I got great recommendations from my Facebook and NextDoor groups.
This year adopt a family and transform what could have been a moment of need and loss, to one of joy and gratitude.
Photo by Joshua Lam on Unsplash
