By Becky Heard

The Yolo Crisis Nursery is proud to announce the eighth annual Adopt-a-Family Program. Each December, members of our community join together to purchase holiday gifts for 25 of our families who’ve faced extreme hardship in the past year.

Working from a personalized wish list, basic needs like clothing, blankets, toiletries and cookware are wrapped in love and given anonymously. Nursery families also are encouraged to dream beyond essentials. This makes the program especially fun.

Children request modest toys and books — often the first new items they will ever own. Last year, a mother hoped for a family pass to the zoo. The reason? She wanted her two children to enjoy a special outing like “normal” families.

Throughout the years, our program has offered a variety of benefits to families, always delivered with dignity. Book clubs, teachers, churches, neighborhoods and just about any combination you can imagine often pool resources to adopt a family.

Original donors refer to the program as their most meaningful holiday activity. A few even go without gifts themselves in exchange for the sheer pleasure of giving.

Among our most generous supporters, Fleet Feet Davis will, once again, donate a pair of new shoes for every family member. They are incredible community partners and we thank owners J.D. and Chris Denton for their unending contributions.

It’s hard to believe how quickly each year passes, but the holidays are now upon us. In less than a month, gifts must be purchased, wrapped and delivered to the nursery for distribution.

Nursery families have often called our donors “angels,” and I think they’re right. Giving Christmas to a child who otherwise would go without is uplifting. Providing hope, through this selfless gesture, remains sacred.

If you and your loved ones wish to be angels to a family in need, please contact our coordinator, Sherry Richter at 916-594-7220 or [email protected].

— Becky Heard is president of Friends of the Yolo Crisis Nursery. Her column is published monthly.

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