urbanMamas

urbanMamas Adopt-a-Family 2011

UPDATED: 12/9! This effort is headed by a great uM volunteer, Vita -- we're so thrilled to have her help!

Last year, the urbanMama community adopted a family in need for the holidays. The response from so many urbanMama families was overwhelming - we managed to give our adopted family everything that they needed and wanted on their wish list! So this year, we're sponsoring another family for Christmas 2011 -the S. family.

The S. family has 5 children, ages 10, 7, and 4 months. (The father has two other children, 5 and 7 year old boys, who come to visit every other weekend. According to the caseworker, as the two boys won't be celebrating Christmas at their house, the primary focus will be on the other three children, although they would appreciate a few gifts for the two other boys as well. Currently, we don't have wish lists for these two boys, but we'll post that information when we find out.) They are supported solely by Shantae's part-time position as a breastfeeding peer counselor and unfortunately, budget cuts have reduced her hours. Arthur works in construction, but has been struggling to find work in this economy. The ability to provide Christmas gifts will be particularly difficult this year given the mom's reduced work hours and with the addition of a new baby. Also, Rico's 11th birthday is only 2 days after Christmas, so if possible, it would be a lovely surprise if we are able to provide him with a few birthday presents. The family's wish lists are listed below.

We've teamed up with the same organization that we worked with last year, the Christmas Family Adoption Foundation. (They were called the Family Assistance Foundation, but recently had to change their name due to another US organization having the same name.) They are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with no religious affiliations. There are no self nominations - each family is nominated by groups such as the Housing Authority, Head Start, Clackamas and Multnomah County Developmental Disability departments, etc.

I know that times are hard for everyone, but this is such a wonderful opportunity to truly help a family who otherwise may not have anything for Christmas and it also sends such a positive message to our kids about the spirit of giving. And as an added bonus --- all donations are tax deductible!

When you decide what item(s) that you will be able to donate, please let me know by posting a comment, so that we can update the list to let people know which gifts are already spoken for. Also, your name and phone/email address would be helpful, so that I can send out reminders, etc. If you don't feel comfortable posting your contact info on the uM website, feel free to contact me directly with that info.

I am hoping to have all of the gifts by mid-December. Like last year, I'm planning on having a gift wrapping event, most likely the weekend of the 17th and 18th. I will update everyone with information about the date, time, and location as soon as I find a place. If you have any suggestions about locations, which may be willing to let us hold our event there, please let me know. Kids are welcome - last year they had a blast helping wrap gifts! Donations of tape, ribbons, gift tags, wrapping paper, scissors and other wrapping supplies would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all who will be able to donate. All donations are much appreciated and no donation is too small (or large)!

~ Vita

vintagemagenta [at] gmail.com or 503.548.8174. Feel free to either leave a comment on the website, email, or call/text me if you have any questions, comments, etc.

S. Family Wish List:

1. Safeway gift cards totaling $125 (The Christmas Family Adoption Foundation asks that each sponsoring group provide the families with $25 per person worth of gift cards to their nearest grocery store in order for the family to buy items for a holiday meal and use for any other family holiday traditions.) Averil
2. Blender
3. Chess board Peace
4. DVD player Lindsay

Family member requests

Mom - Shantae (age 33): Coat size - 14 Aimee Pant size - 14 Shirt size - Large Sarah C. Shoe size - 11 Sara Pajama size - Large Bed size - Queen Bedding color preference - not listed	Mom - Shantae (age 33) wish list: 1. Jeans 2. Shirts 3. Candles um 4. Shoes
Dad - Arthur (age 38): Coat size - XL Peace Pant size - 36x34 um Shirt size - XL um Shoe size - 12 Pajama size - XL Bed size - Queen Bedding color preference - grey or brown	Dad - Arthur (age 38) wish list: 1. long johns 2. sweats 3. jeans 4. work boots 5. socks um
Child 1 - Rico (10 year old boy) Coat size - 12/14 Trina Pant size - 10/12 Trina Shirt size - L Trina Shoe size - 7 um Pajama size - 10/12 Bed size - twin Bedding color preference - blue	Child 1 - Rico (10 year old boy) wish list: 1. art supplies Sharai 2. drawing paper Sharai 3. shirts um 4. shoes 5. Legos (Megan) Legos in Birthday wrapping Joan Rico turns 11 on December 27th, so it would be awesome if we could manage to give him a few extra gifts for his birthday - wrapped in birthday paper, of course! ;-)
Child 2 - Naimah (7 year old girl) Coat size - 6/7 Trina Pant size - 6/7 Trina Shirt size - Small Trina Shoe size - 4 Sarah Pajama size - 6/7 Bed size - twin Trina Bedding color preference - purple Trina	Child 2 - Naimah (7 year old girl) wish list 1. Barbies Trina 2. dolls Emily 3. books Sara, Sharai 4. jeans Trina 5. underwear Emily 6. socks 7. shoes
Child 3 - Seron (4 month old boy) Coat size - 6-9 months Pant size - 6-9 months Shirt size - 6-9 months Andrea Shoe size - 2 Pajama size - 6-9 months um Bed size - crib Bedding color preference - black	Child 3 - Seron (4 month old boy) 1. baby toys um 2. diapers Andrea, Jessica 3. wipes Jessica, Joan 4. shoes 5. socks Andrea 6. hats um 7. shirts
Elias - 5 year old boy coat - 5/6 pant - 5/6 Jessica shirt - 5/6 Joan shoe - 12 PJ - 5/6	Elias (5 year old boy) 1. Trucks Trina 2. motorcycles Emily
Shakai - 7 year old boy Coat size - 8 Pant size - 7 Jessica Shirt size - 7/8 Jessica Shoe size - 3 PJ size - 7/8 Joan	Shakai wish list: 1. pillow pet um 2. LEGOS

Additional Info:

1. If you'd like to make a monetary donation, which will be used to buy gifts, you can send money via Paypal to urbanmamas [@] gmail.com. Please note in the memo: Adopt a Family 2011

2. Gift wrapping event - Saturday, Dec 17th, 3-4:30pm, Cafe au Play, 5633 SE Division St., Portland [We will be inside and out of the cold.]

3. Drivers --- looking for someone who can transport the gifts to the Christmas Family Adoption Foundation in Oregon City on either Monday, Dec. 19th or Tuesday, Dec. 20th (they'd need to coordinate with the person who is housing the gifts about when it would be a good time for them to pick up the gifts from their house)

In: Community, Holiday, urbanMama Gatherings

Comments

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We would love to pick up a Lego set for Rico!

Posted by: Megan | December 05, 2011 at 10:10 PM

I will do Naimah's clothes, bedding and some Barbie stuff.

Posted by: Trina | December 06, 2011 at 01:57 PM

Is there a way to donate on paypal if we don't have time to actually shop/wrap, etc.?

Posted by: Jill | December 06, 2011 at 04:14 PM

I will buy Shantae a shirt.

Posted by: Sarah Clark | December 06, 2011 at 06:49 PM

Jill and other uM donors -
If you'd like to make a monetary donation, which will be used to buy gifts, you can send money via Paypal to urbanmamas [@] gmail.com
Please note in the memo: Adopt a Family 2011
Thanks!

Posted by: vita | December 07, 2011 at 11:22 AM

Lindsay will be donating a DVD player.

Posted by: vita | December 07, 2011 at 11:22 AM

I will buy some diapers and clothing items for the baby.

Posted by: Andrea | December 07, 2011 at 02:35 PM

What a wonderful thing to do for this family...adopting them ...blessings

Posted by: lakoziel | December 08, 2011 at 12:11 AM

I will cover Naimah's shoes and books.

Posted by: sara | December 08, 2011 at 09:45 AM

I'll get art supplies & paper. And books.

My kids and I would love to help wrap (as we did last year). Maybe the Kennedy School Community room? Or a library meeting room?

Posted by: Sharai Eggar | December 08, 2011 at 11:11 AM

It looks like we have the event space:
Saturday, Dec 17th, 3-4:30pm, Cafe au Play, 5633 SE Division St., Portland

Andrea - Do you know what clothing items that you'll be picking up, so that we can cross them off of the list? Thanks for donating!

Posted by: vita | December 08, 2011 at 05:28 PM

I'll get the socks and shirts for Seron. Thanks for organizing!

Posted by: Andrea | December 08, 2011 at 08:55 PM

I'll bring an XL coat for the dad, the chess board & some odds & ends.

Posted by: Peace | December 09, 2011 at 12:51 PM

I'll buy mama a coat.
Aimee

Posted by: Aimee | December 09, 2011 at 07:44 PM

I'll get wipes for Seron, a shirt for Elias, and PJs for Shakai.

Posted by: Joan | December 09, 2011 at 08:05 PM

I have gotten Naimah

2 pairs of shoes
books
PJs
dolls

Posted by: sara | December 09, 2011 at 09:04 PM

We will get a doll and underwear for Naimah.

Posted by: Emily | December 10, 2011 at 09:34 AM

I have a small Lego gift for Rico in birthday wrapping.

Posted by: Joan | December 10, 2011 at 06:23 PM

Here is the list of items I purchased:

Naimah - a coat, 2 pants (1 jeans), 2 shirts, pullover, bedding and two barbie things.

Elias - small set of trucks.

Rico -coat, jeans, and a shirt.

See you on saturday and thanks again for organizing!

Posted by: Trina | December 12, 2011 at 01:13 PM

I will buy all of the Safeway cards. I will contact you to get them delivered to the proper person as I am probably not available on Sat. for the wrapping party. Thanks!

Posted by: Averilpdx | December 13, 2011 at 08:59 AM

I cannot attend the wrapping party on saturday. Where can I drop off items before that (thurs p.m. or sat a.m.?)? Anywhere in inner NE would be especially convenient. :)

Posted by: Emily | December 14, 2011 at 12:14 PM

Emily,
Call or email me and we can probably work something out. My ex-husband lives and works in NE, so one of us should be able to make it happen. What items do you have, so we can cross them off our list? Thx for donating.

Vita
vintagemagenta@gmail.com
503.548.8174

Posted by: Vita | December 14, 2011 at 03:39 PM

I'll bring some gift wrapping supplies, but if you have any extra to bring, that would be great. Also some loaner scissors...

Posted by: Vita | December 14, 2011 at 03:41 PM

I have mana's coat and il drop it off on Saturday.
Aomee

Posted by: Aimee | December 14, 2011 at 07:43 PM

Thanks Vita, I'll email you. I have underwear and a doll for Naimah and a truck with motorcycles for Elias.

Posted by: Emily | December 14, 2011 at 08:04 PM

I got Shakai 2 shirts and I got Elias 2 shirts and pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I also have some diapers and wipes for Seron.

Posted by: Jessica | December 15, 2011 at 11:27 AM

I will get some Legos for Shakai and a blender for the family and bring them by the gift wrapping event @ Cafe Au Play. Cheers!

Posted by: Fawn | December 16, 2011 at 04:26 PM

Sheets for Rico and parents are taken care of, as are dad's shoes. I also picked up a baby toy and some clothes for Seron and another Lego set for Rico.

Posted by: Hau | December 17, 2011 at 11:11 AM

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