What did you do on Chanukah this year? Gathered with family and friends. Lit the candles on your menorah. Fried so many latkes that your house smelled like oil for days. Debated the merits of applesauce versus sour cream. Looked over wish lists, shopped, and exchanged gifts. 

Here in our own Jewish community, some families struggle during the Chanukah. For them, gifts on wish lists are the necessities, like winter hats and laundry detergent, as well as the treats, like Legos, Starbucks gift cards, and books.

 

Since 2008, our community—you—have been helping these local families in need celebrate Chanukah through the Adopt-a-Family program.

 

You adopt familes and singles, buy items on their wish lists, and wrap them up to be picked up a Jewish Family Services at The Reuben Center. (Adopt-a-Family began in 2004 by partnering with the United Christmas Fund, and turned its focus to the Jewish community in 2008. Read about the program's history.)

This past Chanukah, you helped 48 local Jewish families have a brighter holiday, and you truly made an incredible difference. Your adopted families are incredibly thankful! Here are some of the notes we received. 

I just wanted to personally thank the family that purchased all the gifts I received for Channukah this year. This wonderful gift of pure kindness made my Channukah much much brighter, and I truly feel that my son enjoyed all his presents he got to open, and I really liked all the gifts I received as well. I think that what you do is very nice, and I just wanted to personally thank you for the miracle that you gave me during Chanukkah! 
Sincerely, 
The very grateful mother and son

I wanted to thank you so much for getting all those gifts for me. They really lit up my Chanukah! If it's not too much trouble maybe you could also tell the donors that I really appreciate their gifts. (No pressure).
Shabbat Shalom!

Thank you so much for your giving and thoughtfulness—my sweet dog and I will use your gifts with much gratitude. Happy holidays and joyous New Year.

With so much gratitude I thank you for your care and TLC during the past year. Without your support, I don’t know if I could have made it throughout. The help for Chanukkah made all the difference for us!
I hope all is well with you and yours. Happy Chanukah.  

Thank you ever so much and more for the gifts for my grandchildren. I really don't know how to express how much I am grateful—the words haven't been "invented" yet. My very best to all of you for a bright Chanukah!

Good morning! G-d willing, I would be able to help another family on a Chanukah list in the the future. We are doing better, but there are still lots of bills that need to be paid. The kids wouldn’t have a Chanukah without you and the help from the program. We are so blessed with the kindness that has been given to our family it is much appreciated.

Thank you so much for all the thoughtful gifts. Thank you to the family who provided for us. We are so used to doing without and getting by that it was even hard to make a list. My husband is so used to putting himself last so that the kids and I are OK, that he had a hard time coming up with anything for himself. The gift card for Amazon was perfect for him! Thank you for helping our children and family have a happy Chanukah!