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Adopt-A-Family Program
Association provides for families in need
By Melissa Matchak
This year, Christmas for 35 needy families in the area will be a little more enjoyable.
The Ray Silva Insurance Agency of San Jose, in cooperation with the Silicon Valley Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, is adopting two families this year in its 10th year of participation in the Adopt-A-Family program.
The Adopt-A-Family program, in its 12th year, encourages businesses and individuals to adopt a needy family for the holidays, providing the family with food and other necessities, including gifts for the children.
Greg Yoder, of the Ray Silva Insurance Agency and the community service coordinator for the second year in a row, said there are 35 needy families being adopted this year.
The Silicon Valley Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors works in cooperation with local elementary schools Schallenberger Elementary and Canoas Elementary to make a connection between association members, agencies and the needy families. Cindy Burns of the Ray Silva Insurance Agency said the elementary schools identify the families in need and send the information to the association to pass on to agencies and individuals adopting families.
Burns said the Ray Silva agency sends letters to other brokerages, businesses and individuals to encourage them to contribute items the families can use. Burns said what items the families receive depends on the needs of the family. Businesses or individuals are encouraged to provide gift certificates for food and a Christmas tree and decorations, as well as items such as blankets and cold medicine, and toys for the children.
Burns said there are approximately 18 to 22 offices and individuals, which are adopting families this year. The number of families adopted is left up to the business or individual.
Yoder said there are 18 people in the Ray Silva office who share the duties of making the holidays special for the two families the office has adopted this year.
"We 'divide and conquer,' " Yoder said. "We all do this passionately, and there isn't a thing the families don't get on their wish list."
Yoder, who has lived in Willow Glen all his life, said they continue to help their adopted families year-round. Yoder said he keeps in contact with them, helps them get jobs, and lets them use the office to use computers and fax and copy machines.
Yoder said last year his clients sent a total of $3,000 after receiving a letter from him about the program. He said some have adopted families this year.
"We're coordinating people to do a wonderful deed at Christmas time," Yoder said. "We suggest that people do things to make it as spectacular as possible for them."
Yoder said the wish lists this year are particularly humbling, including items such as jackets and gloves for children, and undergarments for a mother. He said in some cases, they have helped adopted families pay rent when they are unable to.
"The fun part is meeting the real needs," he said.
Yoder said there are still five families that need to be adopted this year.
For more information or to contribute, call Greg Yoder at 408.885.8400, ext. 13, or visit www.rsia.com.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
