Arapahoe County’s Department of Human Services invites you to share the holiday season with local foster youth, at-risk adults and families in need. The County’s Adopt a Family Holiday Giving Program is seeking community members to donate new, wrapped gifts to local citizens who are referred by the Human Services department and who may otherwise go without gifts this year.  

"By signing up as a gift sponsor with Adopt a Family, you can help to brighten the season for neighbors who are in crisis here in our community,” said Arapahoe County Commissioner Nancy Sharpe. “Sponsors will receive a needs and wish list to donate gifts to a child or at-risk adult who has been a victim of abuse and neglect, or a family who is experiencing dire financial hardship.”

Adopt a Family is a non-profit program of the Arapahoe County Foundation that was started by County employees in 2001 in order to provide holiday gifts to clients in the child welfare, public assistance and child support programs. The program has benefited more than 5,000 individuals over the years.

Now in its twelfth year, the Adopt a Family Program needs sponsors for more than 1,000 individuals by Nov. 30. Sign up as a sponsor at www.arapahoegov.com/adoptafamily. The Program Coordinator will match you with a child or family whose needs and wish list fits your budget and touches your heart. The lists include basic needs, such as clothing, toiletries, household items, grocery cards and bus passes, as well as a few wishes, such as toys or games.

Sponsors are asked to deliver new, wrapped gifts Dec. 2 -3 to the County’s Winter Wonderland location in Aurora, or earlier by appointment. The adopted families remain anonymous due to Human Services confidentiality requirements and will pick up their gifts at a later time. Adopt a Family also welcomes monetary donations by check, credit card or electronic funds transfer to help purchase gifts for families.

For more information, please visit www.arapahoegov.com/adoptafamily or call 303-636-1851.