Adopt-A-Family is a community-wide program that helps local Jewish households during Chanukah. It allows the community to come together and bring joy to so many families. The impact of Adopt- A-Family is reaching wider each year as donor-participants find creative ways to get more people involved.

When Adopt-A-Family started almost 20 years ago, the program provided Chanukah gifts to around seven or eight families. Over the years, with an increase in community participation, Adopt-A-Family has touched over 85 households. In 2022 alone, Adopt-A-Family brought gifts to 162 kids and 111 adults.

Families share their confidential holiday wish lists with the Jewish Family Services (JFS) social worker and their lists are then assigned anonymously to community donors.

“It's really inspiring,” said Rachel Katz, JFS Assistant Director. “People just go above and beyond and put so much time and thought into their shopping. "

Apart from dropping off gifts to the JFS offices, the Adopt-A-Family team hosts a community day where hundreds of donors, families, friends, and organizations come out to wrap the gifts they have purchased for their assigned family. Last year, this program engaged over 1,000 community members.

“The clients that we serve, whether an older adult alone for the holiday, or a single parent struggling to cover their basic needs, are truly touched and impacted by the generosity of our donors,” said Julie Sondhelm, JFS Clinical Director. “Those who participate are astounded by the request for basic needs such as laundry detergent, toilet paper, and diapers, along with items that brighten their holiday such as toys, books, and clothing.”

While maintaining confidentiality, donors can get a little glimpse into the lives of those they shop for. They see the single mom asking for laundry detergent, snacks for her kids, and clothing to wear to work. They see the older adult asking for a gift certificate to the movies and a pair of warm gloves. They see the young children asking for toys and books and shoes, and the teenagers who want gift cards to eat out with their friends and pick out new clothes.

In recent years, community members are engaging their professional offices in this special project.

Lee Dorman, a member of Congregation Beth El Zedeck, has made Adopt-A-Family a family tradition for many years. When her boss at Light Source Indiana said they were looking for holiday projects to get involved with, Dorman recommended Adopt-A-Family. The company took time off to go shopping and wrap gifts together.

“It did bring us all together as a group,” Dorman said. “You know, you don't always get that camaraderie, and so that also kind of helped our morale. And at that time of year, it's a great thing to do.”

Dorman feels fortunate to be able to give back to the community. Having always been able to afford basics, like an extra blanket or slippers for her kids, Dorman said she is moved by providing those gifts to people in the community.

“These are just kids, and they should be able to have all these things and their parents too,” Dorman said. “That time of year is kind of rough. Some people lose their jobs. So, if you can afford just a little bit extra to set aside for somebody else, you know, to give back to the community and to other people, it's a great thing.”

Katz and Dorman are encouraging others to engage their offices this year to participate in Adopt-A-Family. Last year, in addition to Lee’s group at Light Source Indiana, a law firm, a pre-school, and a restaurant created teams to support Adopt-a-Family. The Jewish Federation of Indianapolis led a NEXTGen team of young adults at community day. This year, PJ Library will be joining the effort to bring a team of young families and kids.

“JFS is working with more families than ever before,” Katz said. “When I first joined the team in 2016, Adopt-a-Family supported 47 households. Last year that number nearly doubled. If we are going to keep up with the demand for assistance, we need to get creative on growing the donor base too, and we need your help.”