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Adopt A Family

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Share Ourselves’ Adopt A Family Program

Make a Difference During the Holidays

The holiday season brings joy and togetherness, but for many families in Orange County, it can also mean hardship and uncertainty. At Share Ourselves, we believe no one should have to choose between providing for their loved ones or giving their children a memorable holiday. Join us in 2025 for our 56th Annual Adopt A Family Program!

Adopt A Family thank you letters

Ways to get involved:

Adopt A Family gift icon

Adopt a family—or multiple families!

Adopt a family—or multiple families!

Help provide holiday cheer for local families! Explore the profiles, stories and wish lists of families in need. Adoption will open in November 2025.

Learn more
Adopt A Family toy drive icon

Host a toy drive or gift card drive

Host a toy drive or gift card drive

Join us in creating smiles and memorable moments by organizing a toy drive or gift card drive at your office, service organization, or in your neighborhood. Click below to email us for more details!

Learn more
Adopt A Family donation icon

Make a donation

Make a donation

Don’t have time to do the shopping? No problem! Make a financial donation and our volunteers will take care of the rest. Please add “ADOPT A FAMILY” in the comments on your donation.

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Adopt A Family volunteer icon

Volunteer

Volunteer

Adopt A Family thrives thanks to our dedicated volunteers. Join our volunteer team to make a direct impact during the holiday season. Click below to email us for more details!

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Spreading holiday joy

Adopt A Family recipients
AAF volunteers
Adopt A Family volunteers
wrapping gifts for adopted families
delivering bikes for adopted families
gift wrapping at the fairgrounds
delivering gifts for Adopt A Family
cart full of AAF gifts
Santa and his helpers delivering gifts for Share Ourselves' Adopt A Family program
Click here to learn more about the program

Resources

How Adopt A Family Works

Program overview from family selection to gift distribution.

10/07/2024

2024 Adoption Guidelines

Guidelines for adopting families, wrapping gifts, and gift drop-off.

10/15/2024

2024 Toy Drive Guidelines

Guidelines for hosting a toy drive or gift card drive + info about giving trees.

10/15/2024

2024 Toy Drives – Most Popular Gifts

List of the most requested items for 2024.

10/15/2024

2024 Labeling & Packing Guidelines

How to pack and label your gifts to ensure they make it to the right family.

11/06/2024

Frequently asked questions

Have more questions?

Please read the FAQs below. If you have additional questions or would like assistance with adopting multiple families, hosting a toy drive, or making a donation, send an email to our Adopt A Family team.

aaf@shareourselves.org

While there is no strict spending limit, we encourage you to be thoughtful and intentional with your gift purchases. The goal is to provide meaningful items that will brighten the holiday season. We kindly ask that each individual gift has a minimum value of $25. You are welcome to spend as much as you’re able, keeping in mind that the focus is on providing quality over quantity.

That’s completely okay! We understand that fulfilling an entire wish list may not always be possible. Prioritize two key items from the wish list for each child that fit within your budget and know that any contribution you make will bring joy to the family. You can also look for comparable gifts if certain items are out of your price range.

Consider practical items such as gift cards to popular stores, tech accessories, personal care products, sports equipment, and hobby-related items. If you’re unsure, gift cards to stores like Target, Amazon, Walmart or local businesses allow them the freedom to choose something they really want.