“Sponsor-a-Family” is the holiday program that provides food and gifts to low income families, Geauga County foster children, and seniors in Geauga County.
Geauga County Job and Family Services has coordinated the Sponsor-a-Family Program during the holiday season for more than 40 years. Churches, civic groups, organizations, companies, and individuals participate in the program by choosing to either “sponsor” a family for the holidays, or they can help collect needed items which are packed and delivered to families not matched with a community sponsor.
Sponsor-a-Family is a unique program supported solely through donations and would not be possible without the generosity of community members. Volunteers are essential to the success of the program and spend time sorting food and gifts. Once the sorting is completed, bags of food for the families and gifts for the children are packed and delivered. Delivery day this year is December 19, 2014.
Regarding the program, one parent wrote, “Without you, Santa wouldn’t have been able to visit our family. As a parent of 3 boys, I cannot begin to express enough gratitude. You made our Christmas through your generosity. I’m unable to work and my husband hasn’t been able to find a job. I thank you a thousand times for keeping the Christmas spirit alive for us.”
To make a donation, sponsor a family, volunteer time, or for any questions, please contact Sara Shininger at 440-285-9141, ext. 1263. Monetary donations are accepted. Checks must be made payable to Special Services of Geauga County and may be mailed to P.O. Box 309, Chardon, Ohio 44024. Please indicate Sponsor a Family in the memo portion of the check.
