Extraordinary Co-workers Christmas Adopt A Family Story
Explore the generosity of the Adopt a Family program in Canada. Discover how individuals and communities unite to make a difference during the holidays.
It’s amazing how this group of co-workers came together to adopt a family to support them in their time of need.
Looking Out For Fellow Canadians In Need At Christmas
I’ve always wanted to learn more about Canada’s Christmas Adopt a Family program.
When a Canadian Budget Binder fan mentioned that her company participates, I wanted to learn more.
So far, I’ve learned that there are a multitude of Adopt a Family Christmas programs in just about every community across Canada. That’s amazing!
There’s nothing, and I mean nothing, that feels better than giving during the holidays or any time of year.
Mrs. CBB and I often reflect on how fortunate we are and usually donate time or money to services in our community to help those in need.
In Toronto alone, over 5000 homeless people are living on the streets, hoping to get into a warm shelter this holiday season.
On top of this, there are families struggling to put food on the table and individuals with no money or limited resources to get them on their feet.
Spending The Holidays Being Depressed
During the holiday season, being alone with no family or Christmas dinner and cheer to participate in is terrible.
Some parents may feel sorrow because priorities such as food, shelter, and clothing come before gifts.
This is where Christmas Hampers filled with food and other necessities are crucial.
Children may go without Christmas gifts when the cold comes because a warm jacket, boots, gloves, and a hat are more critical.
Related: Women’s Outreach Canada Adopt A Family Program
I agree, but no child should go without feeling the magic of the holidays.
Next year, our family goal is to adopt a family, which we will save for in our Christmas budget starting in 2018.
Adopting a family is something we plan to add as a projected expense to our monthly budget.
Ideally, we would like to raise funds by selling items around the house we no longer need or buying and selling to earn extra money. Every bit counts.
At the end of the year, we will match that money from our bank account and put it towards the family or individuals we adopt through our community program.
Related: Community Care St.Catharines and Thorold Adopt A Family Christmas Program
My employer currently doesn’t have an Adopt a Family program, but it is certainly something that I will bring up at the next board meeting.
It builds morale and is an excellent way for people to give back when they don’t have time outside of work due to other priorities.
Until then, I want to learn as much as I can about how the Adopt a Family program works in Canada.
Below, Candy from the Chrysler Dealership in Orillia, Ontario, shares this heart-warming team story.
Adopt A Family for Christmas Story
“The dealership I work for is Mac Lang Orillia,” Candy Legedza proudly explains how her organization went about Adopting a Family for the Christmas holidays.
Reading stories like this brings a warm feeling inside of me because I know more people can give back but don’t know how to go about it, which includes volunteering.
When I spoke with Candy, I had no idea where to begin with the Adopt a Family program, so I asked her a few questions.
- How do people get involved with Adopt A Family for Christmas?
- What is the process for Adopting a family?
- How much do you have to raise or spend on a family or person you adopt?
- Do the recipients make a list of what they want/need?
- Do recipients ask to be adopted for Christmas?
Understanding The Adopt-A-Family Program
The families apply to Children’s Aid to be adopted, which then matches them up with people or organizations who want to help.
They give you basic non-identifying information about the family, such as ages, sizes, and a wish list to help make shopping easier.
In addition, can you provide food for a Christmas dinner or a grocery gift card?
Usually, an outfit and toy for each child and maybe something small for the adults.
You deliver your basket to Children’s Aid on a designated day before Christmas, and the family picks it up from them so you don’t meet the family.
You can request any size family you like, so the budget is up to you.
Related: Adopt A Family Surrey Christmas Bureau
Last year, we had a mother with two children, and this year, we have opted for a single teen and two seniors in a nursing home.
We will spend $100 to $150 on each.
I also know a family of grown children who adopt a family rather than exchanging gifts among themselves.
They all met at Walmart this year and had a scavenger hunt to shop for the family.
Related: Find Permanent Housing For Homeless People in Toronto
We adopt a family through Simcoe Community Services (CAS).
This year, we chose a young person leaving social services and going out on their own and two seniors in nursing homes, as these people tend to be the most forgotten at Christmas.
Raising Money For The Christmas Adopt A Family
Each Thursday during November and December, we cook a hot lunch, which we sell to the staff for five dollars each plate.
Usually, someone donates the lunch or volunteers to cook so we can stretch the meal and make as much as possible for our family.
So far this year, we have had delicious homemade lasagna, pulled pork, meatball sandwiches, and a spaghetti dinner tomorrow.
There are about 20 employees who participate in the Adopt a Family Christmas program, so the money adds up quickly, and the staff looks forward to a hot lunch.
We also have a fun girl’s night party where we draw names and exchange gifts, but the gifts have to be toys we think the person would have liked as a kid.
We have the fun of unwrapping a toy, but at night’s end, all toys are donated to the Salvation Army toy drive.
Easy ways to give back to your community.
Do you wrap the gifts you give away for Christmas?
Gifts are not wrapped to prevent people from donating inappropriate items, but when we do a family, we include a few rolls of gift wrap.
I want to thank Candy for contacting me to share this story of giving back to the community.
Discussion Question: Have you or your company committed to the Adopt a Family for Christmas program?
How do you go about raising money? Share your story and any other info for those wanting to get involved.
Please leave your comments below. Thank you for reading.
CBB At Home
This week went pretty smoothly for us, apart from catching up on some odds and ends on the blog that needed attention.
We had our annual meeting early in the week with our financial advisor, who thought we should transition from term insurance to permanent or Whole Life insurance.
We’re still researching, but we would love to hear from the fans. What do you pay into and why?
Did you transition your life insurance at a certain age?
I didn’t get much done in the basement this week as I had to get the truck serviced for a scratch that was present when it was purchased.
You don’t even want to know how much a tiny scratch costs.
OK, I’ll tell you $1000!
So, the next time someone says, “Oh, it’s just a scratch,” tell them about what I paid for a small scratch!
Lastly, I managed to get the truck in for my winter Krown coating, which has increased since our vehicle is larger than the last.
We will have to adjust this number in our budget for 2018 as a projected expense.
On the holiday home front,t we are working on two sugar-free keto treats to take home for the holidays.
We are currently looking at low-carb biscotti and sugar-free almond chocolate bars wrapped up as little treats for everyone.
More to come on this soon.
It’s a busy week, but it’s Christmas, and we love the hustle and bustle of the season.
Have a great week e, everyone.
Mr.CBB
CBB Published Posts
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CBB Words of Wisdom
Budget Recipe
I don’t often showcase drinks in my recipe pick of the week section, but every once in a while, one pops up that catches my attention.
With the holidays around the corner, you can’t go wrong with this recipe for Christmas.
Although the Mimosa might be a traditional Christmas morning drink, why not add a second beverage?
Our family sticks with coffee and tea, and then the bottles of booze come out.
This is the drink that eats like a fruit cocktail, and I would love to try it.
I might have to buy the ingredients and whip a batch up for Christmas morning.
Here’s the ingredient list for Christmosas;
- 2 Granny Smith apples, chopped
- 1 c. whole fresh cranberries
- 1 c. green grapes, halved
- 1 c. pomegranate seeds
- 1 c. sparkling grape juice
- 1 bottle champagne, prosecco, or cava
That’s it! This recipe is so easy, and your guests will be in awe of the beauty; I know I am.
Budget DIY Ideas
I’m a big fan of DIY, as making products at home is often far less expensive than buying them.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve never ventured much into DIY bathroom products, but these DIY toilet cleaning fizzies sound and look neat.
While cleaning out one of our cupboards, we found two silicone molds, which we considered an overload of baby kitchen items.
One tray is shaped like a tree, and the other is a fig.
Related: The many ways Vinegar can be used around the house
I honestly could only think of making chocolates in the mold, and I told her to hold on since we’ve experimented with making homemade keto chocolate bars.
We’ve since ordered a chocolate bar mold this past week, and just as I thought we’d donate the silicone molds, I found this recipe for toilet cleaning fizzes.
I’m going to give it a try, why not right?
The white toilet family and Mrs. CBB will have a fit if our toilets aren’t pristine.
This might be a helpful cleaning solution to keeping things fresh in our kingdom room.
Saturday Search Term Giggles
Always begin and end your day with a SMILE!- Mr.CBB
Every week, I get tens of thousands of people visiting Canadian Budget Binder because they did a search online and found my blog. (SIC) This means I’ve copied the text exactly, but it has spelling errors.
Most times funny, Sometimes serious.
- Does Value Village buy stuff?– Ha, they don’t know. They use the word ‘Buy’ to only sell for profit and donate.
- Why are doctors exempt from jury duty in Canada?– Do I need to answer this?
- How to be mortgage-free?- Pay your mortgage off. It’s not that easy, but it was good for a laugh.
Don’t forget to Follow me on Social Media and Subscribe to the blog.
Hey…if you see any mistakes, let me know. I’m not an editor, just a guy who likes to write, and yes, I make mistakes.
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