The Willow Glen Resident

Artwork by Adopt-a-Family participants

Heartfelt Thanks: Children who receive presents through the Adopt-a-Family program often create handmade notes of appreciation to the individuals and corporations that provided them with holiday presents.

Program spreads holiday cheer

Adopt-a-Family helps provide families in need with lights, gifts

By Sarah Quelland

Imagine a Christmas with no presents, no sparkly lights, no holiday treats and no tree. For many local families this would be a reality if it weren't for the efforts of the San Jose Life Underwriters Association. For almost 10 years, the organization has been quietly providing a traditional Christmas for needy residents through its Adopt-a-Family program.

The program enlists elementary schools throughout San Jose Unified School District to pair corporations and individuals with families that need help during the holidays. The adopters in turn provide the family with presents, decorations, a holiday meal--all the items that make up a traditional Christmas.

"It's really good because it helps people who cannot buy toys for their children. [It also helps with] expensive things that we cannot buy," Schallenberger Elementary School mother and volunteer Maria Curiel explained. Curiel and her daughters, Mayra, 11, and Rita, 8, make up one of the 50 Schallenberger families that will receive gifts through the program.

Last year, Curiel's children received green raincoats. This year, she said, the girls both want bicycles, and Rita would like a computerized diary. Curiel, who is about six weeks pregnant, said, "I'd like maternity clothes, especially the pants, because I don't like wearing dresses all the time."

The program began at Schallenberger Elementary School eight years ago when the San Jose Association of Life Underwriters adopted one family. It grew to its largest size last year when four San Jose Unified schools and 90 families participated.

This year, a new coordinator took over Adopt-a-Family, and the project got off to a late start. As a result, Schallenberger is the only school participating.

Maureen Dudley, a secretary at Schallenberger, has been involved with Adopt-a-Family since it began. Each year, she sends fliers to the teachers, who evaluate their students' level of need. "I ask for teachers' input [because they] know the kids," she said. [They] know the families. They can tell if [the kids] need something."

Based on teachers' feedback, Dudley contacts the recommended families. She explains the adoption procedure, and the families either accept or decline. Though many people accept the offer, some do decline, often saying they would rather see someone in a worse financial position receive a Christmas sponsor.

Also, there are some parents who call the school and ask to be adopted. Because there is such a great need, these people are usually put on a waiting list until the Underwriters Association, a collective of insurance agencies, finds more sponsors.

Mike Logan works for Farmers Insurance and is the coordinator of Adopt-a-Family. He says the strength of the program is its personal touch. According to the Underwriters Association's Web site, the Adopt-a-Family program is designed to join schools, families and businesses in the spirit of giving.

"We want to develop friendships and relationships," Logan says. "We get people to connect with one another; to get to know [each other] on a one-on-one basis."

Logan uses the information the schools provide to enlist volunteers. Although most sponsors work for local insurance companies, other people are strongly encouraged to participate in the Adopt-a-Family program.

Every year, Logan explained, about 25 percent of the people who participate are from outside the San Jose Life Underwriters Association.

Most often, one company sponsors one family; though, in the past, organizations have adopted two or three families at a time.

Participants contact the families before Christmas and togetherdetermine what the most pressing needs are. Often people ask for basic necessities like blankets, school uniforms, clothing, medicine and food. In addition to addressing these needs, the organizations provide toys for the children.

When the families meet with their sponsors and receive their gift-wrapped presents, Logan explained, "they're extremely grateful. It's real touching to see what an impact you make, [and] you have no idea how much your contribution can mean to someone."

Logan said he is most moved by the children's response. Each year, they write thank-you letters often illustrated with drawings of their family's Christmas.

Dudley, too, said the children's letters are touching. "They write such neat thank-you notes [and] are so appreciative," she says.

The Adopt-a-Family program can be a humbling, but rewarding experience, according to Logan. "It's hard for people to take charity," he said, adding that Adopt-a-Family's intent is to establish a personal connection which makes it seem less like charity.

Logan said the gratitude the parents have because their children will have a Christmas is one of his biggest rewards. "Every kid deserves a great Christmas," he said quietly.

Michael Learmonth translated Maria Curiel's comments.

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