FBLA State Leadership Conference

On Friday, October 23, we had an opportunity to be one of three non-profit organizations featured at the FBLA State Leadership Conference which was attended by chapters from all over Rhode Island.

Over 150 high school students attended the event held at Johnson & Wales Inn in Seekonk. Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) education association of students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. The FBLA-PBL Mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs.

Among the students in attendance was Woonsocket High School's own FBLA Chapter and their advisor Eileen Passano. Woonsocket's FBLA students annually adopt several children from our program.

Adopt-a-Family Program Coordinator Sandra Soares and volunteer Pam Grove met with groups of students over the course of the morning conference to introduce them to our program. Always looking for new ways to increase their community service, the students were interested in learning how they can become involved as donors, volunteers and fundraisers.

The students seemed eager to learn about AAF. This was an opportunity to introduce the program to a new generation of citizens to help us continue fulfilling our mission.

Recap of Adopt-A-Family's 2008 Program Success

During the week of December 7-13, 2008, with the generosity of our donors and the hardwork of our volunteers, we were able to provide a happy Christmas to 2,163 children in 1,017 families. This was our sixth year of providing Christmas for 100% of qualifying applicants. In a year of constant economic issues, our success was very gratifying. Trying to visualize 2100 children is difficult. Imagine 100 classrooms of children!

In addition to the thousands of bags of gifts and hundreds of bicycles received, our food drive to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank was very successful. We were able to send two pallets of paper products, soap and cleaning supplies and a truckload of non-perishable food items to their warehouse in Providence. This was our first attempt at a food drive and we hope to make it an annual event.

From a board of directors of less than 20, overnight during Distribution Week our ranks swell to nearly 150 volunteers. We operate daily during that week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. When we explain what takes place in one week to those unfamiliar with the program they are truly amazed, and the most amazing part is what our donors and volunteers accomplish. Their tasks are many, from shopping and wrapping to carrying, cataloging, sorting and moving gifts for the children, as well as providing delicious food and treats to maintain our energy levels. Our goal of providing a happy Christmas to the children of Woonsocket that are in need is accomplished by their tireless efforts.

We also have the Elks Lodge #850 Elks Lodge to thank for their continued support and commitment. Even though this was only our second year at the Elks, the members have truly made us feel “at home.” We look forward to a long association with Elks #850.

So as we gear up for what promises to be another difficult year of finding donors to provide for the many needy families of Woonsocket, we hope that everyone will find it in their hearts to get involved on some level.

Please Don’t Forget Local Children
Adopt-A-Family Worries They Won’t Have Enough Help This Year

Woonsocket—October 7, 2009 The leaves have just begun to change and the calendar says its only autumn but the people who run Woonsocket’s Adopt-A-Family program are already thinking and planning for Christmas.

For more than 25 years this popular charity has been reaching out to the community for help to provide gifts of clothes and toys at Christmas time for needy Woonsocket children whose families are not able to. Program Coordinator Sandra Soares, who also chairs the committee that processes the applications received each year, said they began meeting this week and will continue until the end of November.

“During the first week of intake, Family Resources in Woonsocket saw an increase of 30 applications over the same week last year,” said Soares, “if that continues, we can expect an additional 30% of requests for help.” And, said Soares, last year’s donors have already been contacted and they are responding but “we are seeing our always-faithful donors offering to help fewer children. Instead of asking for 3-4 children, they are only able to help one or maybe two. The combination of more families in need and fewer donors able to help is going to mean we won’t be able to provide for all the eligible families.”

Eligibility for the program is based on need and the family’s income. “We always especially want the “working poor” to know they can apply. These are the people who are able to feed and house their children but when the holidays arrive, there just isn't anything left over from their pay checks to buy Christmas gifts," said Soares.

The deadline to adopt a family this year is December 4th. Donors are asked to give each child they adopt three to four new clothing items and two or three new toys. Anonymity is a key feature of the program. Neither the donor nor adopted family knows the other's identity. Donors are provided with Wish Lists of the children that include their first names, sizes, interests and needs.

The Adopt-A-Family organization is a 27 year-old charity based in Woonsocket, RI. For more information contact Adopt-A-Family at 401-766-2291, write to Adopt-A-Family, P.O. Box 7665, Cumberland, RI 02864, or via at AdoptAFamily@cox.net.