Board Adopt a Family, etc. Discussion Thread

[secretlyevil]

I'm pulling this out of the other thread for more discussion. In previous years, we have done a holiday elf exchange (SS but CEP appropriately named). Someone suggested the board adopt a family. I suggested we do that in lieu of our gift exchange. Seems like a very board appropriate thing to do.

This is just an exploratory thread to discuss. We don't need to shame people. We don't need to set a donation amount, etc. People shouldn't feel obligated to participate. At this moment, I don't even know if there is enough interest.

Also, I don't really know where to start with adopting a family or even doing an angel tree type thing with a foster group home or whatever. So throw out ideas if you have them.

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ETA - SUMMARY as of 4 pm on 10/30/13

So from reading the thread, it sounds like the majority want to adopt a family instead of donating to an organization.

I've also ben trying to research adopting foster care kids like my office does but this is even harder than research adopt a family programs.

We still need to find a board member with boots on the ground. 

Someone suggested we target an underserved part of the country. Eclaires volunteered to be our local boots if we find a reputable organization in the Appalachia area of TN. 

Crazytalk is researching an organization in her area. She is also willing to be boots on the ground for us.

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ETA 2 - SUMMARY as of 9:00 am October 31

Well, if we're looking to make a decision quickly it seems taratru is the way to go since she has an immediate connection and is willing to be boots on the ground. If it goes well this year, we can start earlier next year to figure something out.

I like the idea of Fisher House as well. But it seems like the group wants to shop this year.


We can also keep looking. It's only Halloween, we have a couple of weeks.


What say the group?

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ETA 3 as of 5 pm 11/1 - I'm making a poll

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Vote here: pandce.proboards.com/thread/248796/vote-holiday-season-charity-activity

[ChillyMcFreeze]

The secret elf is way fun, but I love this idea. So I suppose whomever is willing to take the donations should choose the family. A big family would be ideal so we could spread the wealth.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

Another thought: shipping might get to be a hassle, but I'm sure lots of us have Amazon Prime. Those who don't want to mess with shipping could PayPal someone with Prime for whatever items they want to donate, and then the Prime holder could have it shipped right to the organizer.

[pixy0stix]

As I said in the other thread, I think it's really just a matter of someone stepping up and taking charge. They need to choose a family and tell us what they would like. I'd suggest setting up an Amazon wishlist and having people do individual items, in addition to collecting money via paypal.

It's going to be work, but I think this board could give a family a nice Christmas devoid of Rose Art Crayons.

[iammalcolmx]

I am down, it was nice when we helped that family last year. My H was impressed.

[eclaires]

I am totally in. Maybe a few of us can look and see what we can find about adopting a family locally and then we can present the board with some options (I'm sure various local charities handle things differently).

[wawa]

I'm not fit to take the lead but I'm totally in to contribute. Great idea.

[josieposy]

I'll do it!

[pixy0stix]

Oct 30, 2013 12:44:16 GMT -5 @majorwife said:

are we ok going through an org like Catholic Charities/Salvation Army etc or should we look at more neutral orgs?

I would like a more neutral org, but if the majority want something different it's not a big deal.

[sushi]

Can I plug the org where I volunteer? It's got kids who have lost a parent, either through death, divorce, incarceration, foster, etc. I don't know if they do a Christmas drive or anything, but I do know they have centers all around the country so it could be a board effort with local contribution.

[eclaires]

This place local to me does adopt a family/child wishlists for the various families they serve. It doesn't seem to be religiously affiliated or discriminatory. I can do some more digging on it, too.

www.mcnabbcenter.org/

[secretlyevil]

Oct 30, 2013 12:44:16 GMT -5 @majorwife said:

are we ok going through an org like Catholic Charities/Salvation Army etc or should we look at more neutral orgs?

neutral orgs

I have been researching, Salvation Army came up first.

[iammalcolmx]

I thought Salvation Army has an issue with gay people? Isn't that always mentioned when people talk bout the bell ringers at Christmas Time?

[secretlyevil]

This place seems politically neutral.

www.shnfc.org/aboutus.html

I'm checking with the organizer at my office but an angel tree might be another idea we could look into.

[secretlyevil]

Oct 30, 2013 13:09:10 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

I thought Salvation Army has an issue with gay people? Isn't that always mentioned when people talk bout the bell ringers at Christmas Time?

Exactly, when they came up first, I knew this was going to be a little tougher.

[AJL]

I like this idea in theory, but I would prefer to adopt a local family. I would donate money to a national charity, though, if the board went that route (however, not the Salvation Army or any religious affiliated organizations.)

[downtoearth]

I like the idea and would help.

If you want to just find an organization rather than a family, I know of one that my youngest also goes to for daycare (1/2 daycare kids are from the community and pay full price and the other 1/2 are the in-home babies).


www.florencecrittenton.org/support/wish_list.php

ETA: Not religious affiliated.

[secretlyevil]

This is much tougher than I thought. I thought I found one organization and then read more about it, religiously-affiliated.

[secretlyevil]

Portland, OR organization: www.christmasfamilyadoption.com/about.php

Atlanta, GA organization: www.familiesfirst.org/about-us/T17-who-we-are

[meshaliuknits]

I don't think this one is religiously affiliated: www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp768139.jsp

[secretlyevil]

Oct 30, 2013 13:28:14 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

I don't think this one is religiously affiliated: www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp768139.jsp

This one has potential. I like the invite a group option. I haven't gone all the way through but if it is what I think it is, it could be much easier logistically speaking.

ETA: mesh is this in your area?

[meshaliuknits]

Oct 30, 2013 13:32:47 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Oct 30, 2013 13:28:14 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

I don't think this one is religiously affiliated: www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp768139.jsp

This one has potential. I like the invite a group option. I haven't gone all the way through but if it is what I think it is, it could be much easier logistically speaking.

ETA: mesh is this in your area?

Yes, it's in Oakland, but it looks like they have offices all over.

[secretlyevil]

Oct 30, 2013 13:49:00 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

Oct 30, 2013 13:32:47 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

This one has potential. I like the invite a group option. I haven't gone all the way through but if it is what I think it is, it could be much easier logistically speaking.

ETA: mesh is this in your area?

Yes, it's in Oakland, but it looks like they have offices all over.

I think I'm confused - volunteermatch isn't the program, it just links to all kinds of non-profits all over the place.

[meshaliuknits]

Oct 30, 2013 14:11:07 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Oct 30, 2013 13:49:00 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

Yes, it's in Oakland, but it looks like they have offices all over.

I think I'm confused - volunteermatch isn't the program, it just links to all kinds of non-profits all over the place.

Oh, OK. I wasn't sure.

[MrsAxilla]

If we're going to do this, can we adopt a family in an area we know is under served? Like south side of Chicago, or butt fuck rural Appalachia?

[pixy0stix]

Oct 30, 2013 14:24:02 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

If we're going to do this, can we adopt a family in an area we know is under served? Like south side of Chicago, or butt fuck rural Appalachia?

We'd need a board member from there willing to take charge.

[secretlyevil]

Oct 30, 2013 14:24:02 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

If we're going to do this, can we adopt a family in an area we know is under served? Like south side of Chicago, or butt fuck rural Appalachia?

You said it, start researching!

[emilyj]

I am in for this. I think it's an amazing idea.

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 30, 2013 14:25:53 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Oct 30, 2013 14:24:02 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

If we're going to do this, can we adopt a family in an area we know is under served? Like south side of Chicago, or butt fuck rural Appalachia?

We'd need a board member from there willing to take charge.

Hmm.  That's a good point.  

[secretlyevil]

I found this place in Bloomington, IL: www.childrenshomeandaid.org/page.aspx?pid=694