Adopt-A-Family Project
As a community we have an opportunity to ease the struggles of families in our community and make the holidays brighter for our neighbors. Each year the Volunteer Center partners with 26 fellow non-profits to meet the needs of 400+ families struggling to make ends meet. Our non-profit partners provide us with a short bio about each family and a list of the items that each family member requests. Adopt a Family Project volunteers then set to work connecting these families with donors who shop for them for the holidays. Requests include basic necessities like sheets, towels, or shoes along with special gift requests for the children.
All of these families are struggling with special circumstances such as: homelessness, parents in recovery, parents or children with disabilities, victims of violent crime, families facing serious health challenges or other hardships.
Planning for the 2022 season has begun! You can join our committee and help make this project a success! Learn more about joining the Adopt a Family Committee HERE
Read our program Frequently Asked Questions Here!
THANK YOU TO OUR ADOPT A FAMILY SPONSORS: NEW LEAF COMMUNITY MARKETS, PEPSICO, THE SANTA CRUZ COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION, KION, WESTVIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND GRANITE CONSTRUCTION









ADOPT A FAMILY IN NEED
Individuals, groups, and families are invited to adopt a family of any size by filling out our online form or calling our office. Adopters provide family packages which include food gift certificates, clothing for the family, a gift for each child, and household items like blankets, towels, or sheets. Adopters will deliver these items to our warehouse during the designated drop off days in December.
Adopt a Family By Filling Out This Form - This form will open on October 1st, 2022

DONATE FUNDS
Cash donations provided to Adopt a Family help us supplement our family packages to ensure that families receive the items needed and that every family has enough food gift cards to feed their family for the holiday. Now that the program has come to a close you can donate to help launch us into success when we start up again in 2021 or you can give to the Volunteer Center General Fund to help us sustain crucial community programs like Adopt a Family. Donations can be made online or mailed to our office.
Give a Donation Today | Donate to the Volunteer Center

WHERE DO I DROP OFF MY PACKAGES?
We don't have a Donation Center Yet - We will notify all adopters of the location ASAP - it will be in Santa Cruz County. Visit our Gift Drop Info page for full details including open hours, directions, tips for delivery and our contact.
View the Donation Center Information Page
VOLUNTEER WITH THE PROJECT
This project is only possible because of the volunteers that give their time each year to wrap gifts, answer phone lines, maintain our database and shop for families.

GIVE A GIFT WITH WISHING STARS
Wishing Stars are individual gifts that we collect to support families who are not adopted or who's donors do not follow through. We also have a wait list of families and emergency families that we support
View 2021 Star Locations and get more info
