Adopt-a-Family & Holiday Donations
Our Adopt-a-Family 2024 Campaign is up and running. See below for all the details!
The Exchange Family Center’s Adopt-a-Family program is about helping families most in need during the holiday season. Many of the families who work with EFC struggle financially - almost a third of families who receive EFC’s services have household incomes of less than $25,000 a year - making the holidays stressful. We want to do our part and help make this year’s holiday season less trying for those parents who struggle with the choice of buying the basic necessities or gifts for their children.
Last year, through the generosity of our family sponsors, we were able to provide gifts for 22 families! We are aiming to support at least 20 families again this holiday season.
Are you wondering how you can give back to your community this holiday season? Why not Adopt a Family with EFC? We match you with a Durham area family who needs a little help making the holidays special for their kids, and you get to shop their wishlist.
General FAQs
HOW WOULD WE BE ASSIGNED A FAMILY?
Please click the “I Want to Adopt a Family” button above to review the wishlists and process. You will be able to select a family and view their desired gifts for the holidays. After choosing the family and receiving confirmation, their wish list will be sent to you and you will be put in contact with the family’s therapist. The EFC therapist will reach out to you to help you navigate your family’s likes, dislikes, and choosing a drop-off time that works for you!
We are currently in the process of identifying the families who wish to participate and will be updating the list as families become available!
WHAT INFORMATION WOULD WE RECEIVE ABOUT THE FAMILY WE ADOPT AND THEIR WANTS/NEEDS?
You will be provided with your family’s “wishlist.” It will have information on specific gifts and sizes that the family has asked for this holiday season. If you are curious about what families ask for you can check out the “frequently requested items” page.
HOW WILL THE FAMILY RECEIVE THE GIFTS?
Our therapists, who are close with the adopted families, will deliver the gifts before Christmas. Due to confidentiality, sponsors are not able to deliver gifts to families they have adopted as we want to be sensitive to our families' privacy. However, sponsors will be allowed to keep in contact with their family’s assigned therapist to get a better understanding of that family’s needs and wants as well as the most convenient drop-off times, deadlines and other important campaign updates!
DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION DO PICK-UPS, OR DO ITEMS NEED TO BE DROPPED OFF SOMEWHERE?
Because we are a small staff, we ask that sponsors deliver (unwrapped or wrapped based on your adopted family’s preference) donated items to our office on/before December 16, 2024. Our address is 3400 Dr. Ste. 206, Durham, NC 27705.
We understand that this can be a busy time of year so please contact your family’s therapist if a drop-off time doesn’t work for you or you need additional flexibility!
WHAT IF ALL THE FAMILIES ARE SELECTED?
We are a small staff and can only help so many families -- although all are deserving. Please let us know if you were hoping to be involved so we can extend an offer to participate to another family or help connect you with ways to support one of our other programs. All funds are used to advance EFC’s mission of supporting children and families with proven counseling, coaching, and training.
This year, we are hoping to help support at least 20 families but with more interest and donors, we can add more families who would also benefit from this event!
WHAT IF I’M BUSY but STILL WANT TO SUPPORT?
We understand that life is hectic. You can always support families during this time by donating. Sometimes, there are needs that go unmet even with the support of so many caring donors like you. Providing a financial contribution allows us to help fill the gap and provide families with the love, care, and support they need during the holidays. Extra donations, gift cards, and toys may be used for client support throughout the year.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF MONEY ONE SHOULD EXPECT TO SPEND PER PERSON OR FOR THE FAMILY, IN TOTAL, WHEN ADOPTING A FAMILY?
We recommend planning to spend about $100 per family member. If you are a part of a larger office, you may want to select a larger family or multiple, smaller families.
WHAT IS THE TYPICAL SIZE OF A FAMILY SERVED BY THE PROGRAM?
The typical family size is 1-2 adults and about 2- 4 children.
WHAT IF I CAN’T ADOPT A WHOLE FAMILY?
We greatly appreciate those donors each year that contribute gift cards or other items we may need to support our families. Occasionally we need to purchase items for a family or feel a specific family may benefit from a gift card to a grocery store. Please reach out to us at maiyagp@exchangefamilycenter.org if you are interested in participating in this way!
When and WHERE should THE GIFTS BE DELIVEREd?
The gifts should be delivered to our office on a date between December 2nd and 13th, 2024! Please see posted drop off hours on this page.
ARE SPONSORING INDIVIDUALS/GROUPS ABLE, IF POSSIBLE, TO DELIVER THEM PERSONALLY?
Due to confidentiality regulations, sponsors are not able to deliver gifts to families they have adopted. We want to sensitive to our families' privacy. Please talk with your family’s assigned therapist. They may be able to offer you very useful information.
WHEN WILL THE LIST OF FAMILIES AND WISHLISTS BE AVAILABLE?
We are currently working to set up this year’s campaign and expect to start listing family wishlists in November! If you are interested in adopting a family and would like to receive notice of when families are available for adoption, please email Leah Santibañez at leahs@exchangefamilycenter.org
December 2nd - 6th 9am to 1pm
December 9th - 13th 1 to 5 pm
@ 3400 Croasdiale Dr. Suite 206 Durham, NC 27705