[jnieman]

For those of you who want to give back during the holidays, this is an excellent way to do it. The look on the faces of the families is heart-warming when they receive their gifts. Please scroll to the bottom for the address. Judy


The Amigos Sports Club of the Villages is sponsoring the 7th annual Adopt-A-Family program. Our goal this year is to collect $15,000 to provide food and gifts for over 100 children from the Wildwood Elementary School.

The children/families are selected by the School Guidance Counselor from Wildwood Elementary School. The Adopt-A-Family Program “adopts” the entire family, not just the child selected. We purchase gifts for each child in the family and food for the whole family. Each child in the family is budgeted $100 for the gifts that have been placed on their “wish list”. Using sales, frugal shopping, and discounts from stores like Kohl’s, we are typically able to purchase $130 - $150 worth of gifts from the $100 budgeted. We also purchase food for each family.

We have a small army of volunteers who do the shopping, wrapping, and distribution of the gifts at the Wildwood Elementary School. Other volunteers help pack food bags, work with the logistics of the school, coordinate with publicity, and many other tasks.

Donations can be mailed to The Amigos Sports c/o James Wilson, 411 Rhapsody Path, The Villages, FL 32162. Checks should be made out to “Amigos Sports Club” with “Adopt-a-Family” in the memo line. We appreciate any help and support you can give us. I know with your help we can get things done, Thank you.

Jim and Mary Anne Wilson
411 Rhapsody Path
The Villages, FL 32162
mawilson@thevillages.net
352.353.0465

[jnieman]

bump

[Ecuadog]

I'm in.

[784caroline]

This is a very worthwhile charity. A lot of work and effort goes into this charity event and like the OP stated its more than simply giving clothes or a bike to one child. The Amigo's adopt families for the holidays..families that are selected by the school counselors based on need. At our last meeting we had a counselor come to our group and tell us of the homeless children (families) they support and its more than just toys.....we are talking food baskets that have donated hams to clothing for the children including simple things like shoes that we all take for granted. I volunteered one year to assist in the distribution of these parcels and it was definitely an eye opener.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by 784caroline

This is a very worthwhile charity. A lot of work and effort goes into this charity event and like the OP stated its more than simply giving clothes or a bike to one child. The Amigo's adopt families for the holidays..families that are selected by the school counselors based on need. At our last meeting we had a counselor come to our group and tell us of the homeless children (families) they support and its more than just toys.....we are talking food baskets that have donated hams to clothing for the children including simple things like shoes that we all take for granted. I volunteered one year to assist in the distribution of these parcels and it was definitely an eye opener.

It was an eye opener just listening to her stories.
I used to work for a school district in Michigan. It can be very heart breaking seeing some of these children & families that really have nothing.

[jnieman]

bump for Adopt-a-Family

[jnieman]

Thanks to those who have donated. We are getting closer to reaching the goal.

[jnieman]

bump

[jnieman]

Amigos,

You should feel very proud of the Amigos' Adopt-a-Family Charity.

Prior to this year we collected over $71,700 in 6 years and adopted over 450 children in 145 financially-challenged families.

This year we have exceeded our goals and have collected nearly $17,000 (goal was $16,500) and have adopted 127 children (goal was 100) in 49 financially-challenged families.

Special thanks go out to Jim and Mary Anne Wilson, co-chairpersons, and their army of about 70 volunteers for a job well done.

To learn more about this year's AAF efforts, please read the Daily Sun article that was published last Sunday. Donations are still being accepted to adopt even more families!

[784caroline]

Originally Posted by jnieman

Amigos,

You should feel very proud of the Amigos' Adopt-a-Family Charity.

Prior to this year we collected over $71,700 in 6 years and adopted over 450 children in 145 financially-challenged families.

This year we have exceeded our goals and have collected nearly $17,000 (goal was $16,500) and have adopted 127 children (goal was 100) in 49 financially-challenged families.

Special thanks go out to Jim and Mary Anne Wilson, co-chairpersons, and their army of about 70 volunteers for a job well done.

To learn more about this year's AAF efforts, please read the Daily Sun article that was published last Sunday. Donations are still being accepted to adopt even more families!