Helping families and individuals in need at the holidays and throughout the year.

You Are Invited…
Child & Family Services, Inc. invites you to share the joy of the upcoming holiday season by participating in the 2008 Holiday Hope Project.

Last year Holiday Hope assisted approximately 300 families and 350 individuals who had fallen on hard times. These people battled with terminal illness, mental or physical health problems, limited education or resources, and personal tragedy. In most cases, providing adequate food and clothing for their families was a daily struggle.

The goal of Holiday Hope is to help families and individuals in need at the holidays and throughout the year. To accomplish this, Child & Family invites companies, individuals, families, schools, and churches to participate in this project. There is a level of involvement suited to anyone interested in providing local children and families with the greatest gift of all… hope.

Assisting A Family
Participants will receive sponsor sheets with information about the family they will be assisting. This will include number of parents and children, ages and sizes, and a holiday “Wish List.” Sponsors are asked to buy gifts and provide stockings for the children. We ask that supermarket gift cards be provided as well. Those who sponsor a family must also submit a $20 check (made payable to Child & Family Services) for the project to purchase a transportation voucher for the family.

Point To Remember
When shopping keep in mind that creating a happy holiday for our assisted families means providing a little magic along with meeting certain goals that will help the family become stronger and more self-sufficient. Please do not go overboard though. Raising expectations to unrealistic levels isn’t fair to parents or children.

Guidelines For Shopping

SAFETY
Items like safety gates for young children, fire extinguishers, flashlights, batteries, electrical outlet protectors, and carbon monoxide detectors make great gifts and also send a message that you care.

HOUSEHOLD
Bath towels, kitchen towels, and other accessories help strengthen the home.

WARMTH
Pajamas, blankets, hats, mittens, socks, and scarves are great for all ages.

HYGIENE
Personal hygiene items are useful and thoughtful. These include toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, shampoos, hairbrushes, razors, and gift certificates to stores where undergarments could be purchased.

EDUCATION
Books, puzzles, backpacks, writing supplies, arts and crafts, and learning games should be top on the list. Barnes & Noble in Dartmouth is having a book drive. All books collected benefit the Holiday Hope Project at Child & Family.

FAMILY TIME
Keeping families active and together is key. Items like “Y” memberships, First Night buttons, gift certificates to family restaurants and video stores, movie tickets, tickets to shows and events and disposable cameras for memories help accomplish this goal.

Other Ways You Can Help
This year we are focusing our efforts on year-round support to those in need. If you can’t assist a family, you can still share in this special experience by sponsoring an individual, making a donation, or volunteering your time.

We always need extra items such as gift certificates to supermarkets and malls, tickets to family events, extra winter items like gloves, hats, scarves, and thick socks. Monetary donations are also needed for emergency situations and for necessities throughout the year such as taxi vouchers, medical co-pays, food, birthday gifts, and back-to-school items.

Nothing goes to waste, and everything we receive finds its way to those who truly need it.

Those items not used at the holidays go directly into our “Hope Chest” for emergencies throughout the year. We must remember that children and families who are in need at the holidays often need help all year long.