Updated from Families Need Your Help: Adopt-A-Family is Back for 2007.

When Calla, an annual workplace contributor, began giving to United Way years ago, she never realized she might find herself one day coming to United Way for help.

But after an illness that left her unable to work for a year, her bills were tightening up and she didn’t know how she would be able to provide Christmas gifts for her family. Luckily, her sister told her about the United Way Adopt-a-Family program.

Thanks to the generosity of an Adopt-a-Family donor, she was able to pick up new sweaters and gift cards to buy presents for her children to unwrap on Christmas morning. Once again healthy and with a new job, she looks forward to being caught up with her bills soon.

Calla’s family is one of more than 80 families (including 282 children) who were able to have a holiday meal, presents for their children and warm clothing for the winter, thanks to the generosity of United Way Adopt-a-Family sponsors.

In total, we raised $5,491, plus $1,878 worth of winter apparel. United Way used the cash donations donations to purchase $25 gift cards redeemable at community partners such as Target and Jewel, allowing the families to secure exactly what each member needs.

From all the families and everyone at United Way, thank you!