Adopt-A-Family campaign off to a heartwarming start

The annual Adopt-A-Family for Christmas program is off to a good start, with 64 families and individuals “adopted” within the first day, and 96 currently on the list.

The Pilot-Tribune and Upper Des Moines Opportunity co-sponsor the program each year, matching generous individuals, families, businesses, clubs, classrooms and church groups with needy local families to provide the Christmas experience they might otherwise not have.

“This project really lets the Christmas spirit shine in our area,” says co-director Dana Larsen. “There are so many generous people who make a tradition of sharing with those in need.”

Maggie Reyes of Upper Des Moines adds, “Times are very hard still, we see a lot of difficult situations with families in the community. We also have some seniors who are alone, sick or disabled, and we wanted to do something for them.

The Pilot will update the list until all have been adopted. All the families are from Buena Vista County and live at less than 150% of the poverty level. Last year, 250 families were adopted.

How Adopt A Family works:

* 1. Choose a Family. Note the code number.

* 2. Call Our Hotline at 732-1757, 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m. weekdays to report the number of the family chosen. UDMO will provide more specific information on the family’s needs and sizes. You may also email [email protected]

* 3. Go Shopping! Needed are non-perishable foods to make a holiday meal special, or a gift certificate for groceries. Many donors also choose to include gifts for children, clothing, a card of well wishes, or some other personal touch.

* 5. Wrap and Deliver. Your gifts can be placed in a box or bag labeled on each side with the code number of the family. Drop off at UDMO in Storm Lake Dec. 7 or later. Our volunteers will make sure the family gets it by Christmas.

Adopt-a-Family list:

27. Parents, daughter 2, baby boy.

28. Parents, sons 19 and 11, daughter 9.

29. Parents, daughter 19, son 14.

31. Parents, daughters 20 and 14, sons 15 and 13.

34. Mother, sons 17 and 10.

35. Parents, son 11, daughter 7, infant son.

37. Mother, daughter 2, infant daughter.

38. Mother and son, 9.

39. Parents, sons 11, 8, 3 and 2.

42. Mother, daughter 17.

44. Parents, sons 25 and 20, daughter 10.

45. Mother, daughters 14 and 8.

46. Parents, daughters 20, 14, 5 and 3.

47. Mother with son 9.

48. Mother, sons 16 and 10, daughters 12 and 7.

50. Parents, daughter 4.

52. Mother, son 11.

53. Parents, daughters 11 and 10.

54. Mother, son 5.

55. Parents, sons 8 and 4, daughter 2.

59. Mother, sons 23 and 12.

60. Mother, baby boy 7 months.

61. Parents, son 13.

62. Parents, sons 9 and 8, daughters 9 and 7.

63. Parents, son 19, daughters 14 and 11.

64. Mother, daughter 12.

65. Parents, daughter 16, son 8.

66. Mother, son 13.

67. Parents, daughter 16, son 13.

68. Mother, daughter 13, infant girl.

70. Father, daughters 8, 7 and 3.

73. Parents, daughter 4.

74. Mother, daughters 12 and 3.

75. Mothers, daughters 13, 11 and 2; sons 6, 5 and 4.

76. Mother, sons 19 and 13.

77. Parents, daughters 16 and 13, sons 11 and 3.

79. Parents, daughters 14 and 11, son 9.

81. Parents, sons 6, 3 and 1, daughter 5.

82. Parents, sons 11 and 7, daughter 3.

83. Mother, son 16, daughter 8.

85. Mother, son 5, twin daughters 2.

86. Parents, daughter 18, son 13.

88. Mother, daughters 23 and 15, son 19.

91. Parents, sons 18, 9, 8 and 5, daughter 7.

93. Mother, son 18.

94. Parents, sons 20 and 18, daughters 17 and 11.

95. Parents, daughter 18, son 17, baby girl 3 months.

96. Parents, sons 17, 15, 12 and 10.

99. Parents, daughter 2, baby boy six months.

100. Parents, daughters 18, 15, 7; baby boy 10 months.

101. Mother, sons 15, 10; daughter 4.

102. Mother, son 10.

103. Mother, son 13, twins boy and girl 9, son 5.

104. Parents, daughter 18, son 15.

105. Mother, son 16, daughter 13.

106. Mother, daughter 17.

107. Mother, son 14.

108. Mother, son 2, daughter 2 months.

109. Parents, daughters 5 and 2.

110. Mother, sons 11, 9 and 7.

111. Parents, daughter 17, sons 11 and 10.

112. Parents, sons 18, 14 and 9.

113. Parents, daughter 4.

114. Parents, daughter 17 and 6, sons 14, 9, 7, 4.

115. Parents, sons 18, 17; daughters 16 and 11.

116. Parents, daughter 3.

117. Mother, daughter 7, son 3.

118. Parents, son 18, daughters 17 and 7.

119. Mother, son 10, daughter 8, twins boy and girl 4.

120. Mother, daughter 9.

121. Parents, sons 5 and 3.

122. Parents, son 4, baby boy 1 month.

123. Mother, sons 15 and 6, daughter 5.

124. Mother, son 14.

125. Parents, daughters 17, 12, 9; sons 15, 2, 1.

Senior citizens/disabled individuals:

5. Female 69, male 68

7. Female 69

8. Female 63., male 67

11. Male 68

12. Male 75

13. Female 65

14. Female 61

16. Female 61

17. Female 65, male 53

19. Female 69

22. Female 69

23. Male 68

25. Female 75, male 85

26. Female 77, male 77

28. Male 67

31. Female 65, male 66

32. Female 60

33. Female 70

34. Female 60

35. Female 50