55 Years of Adopt A Family
For those who get involved with Share Ourselves’ beloved Adopt A Family program, the holidays take on a whole new meaning. The joy of giving and the spirit of community comes alive as volunteers and donors work together to support those in need.
In addition to serving as a community health center with 8 locations throughout Orange County, Share Ourselves hosts community programs throughout the year to engage the community and provide relief for struggling families and individuals. Adopt A Family is Share Ourselves’ longest running community program, dating back to 1969. This program has become a cornerstone in Share Ourselves’ efforts to uplift the community.
“Through programs like Adopt A Family, we’re really grateful to be able to identify families in need and bring donors and interested folks into be a part of helping people in the community and giving back during this season of giving,” said Christy Ward, Share Ourselves CEO. The program not only provides immediate relief but also fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose among participants.
Get an inside look at Share Ourselves’ Adopt A Family program and hear why volunteers think this program is so important in the video above.
The need in Orange County
In Orange County, 1 in 3 households do not earn enough to meet basic living needs. The Adopt A Family program introduces families and individuals to Share Ourselves, serving as gateway into all the areas where Share Ourselves can help, from the food pantry to clinical health services and beyond. This holistic approach ensures that families receive comprehensive support tailored to their unique circumstances.
“There’s a huge impact on the community at large trying to make people aware that 1 out of 3 people in this county lives at or below the poverty level,” said Sue Epstein, Adopt A Family Volunteer Committee Member. “When I began 39 years ago, I thought maybe it was a short-term problem. 39 years later, it’s not only not a short-term problem, but I believe it’s gotten worse for many of the families.”
The program also has a profound impact on community members who get involved. It transforms the holiday season into a time of meaningful connection and generosity, raising awareness of the need throughout Orange County.
“For those people who give, who donate, who have anything to do with this program, it’s part of their Christmas,” said Sue. “For many of the volunteers who’ve been doing this for years, they talk about how their family’s Christmas now revolves around Adopt A Family.”
Thanks to the generosity of individuals, businesses, and institutions throughout Orange County, together we adopted 1,172 families, impacting 5,745 individuals. This collective effort showcases the power of community and the difference that can be made when people come together to support one another.
Community impact
Adopt A Family would not be possible without the tremendous contributions of our volunteers, donors, and community partners. Watch the magic of Adopt A Family unfold in the gallery below, showcasing the five-day span of gift drop-off and gift wrapping at the OC Fair & Event Center in December 2024.
Heartfelt thanks
Each year, we invite Adopt A Family recipients to write thank you cards and express how the program impacted them. Look through the gallery below to read the heartfelt thanks from this year’s recipients.
