Thanks to the Adopt-A-Child and Adopt-A-Senior for the Holidays Programs, 310 Children and 42 senior citizens will have more presents to open this holiday season. For twenty-six years, the Program has been matching holiday wish lists of children and senior citizens with limited resources with donors willing to purchase the wish list items. Clients of Fisherman’s Mark, 254 children and 42 senior citizens, were among the recipients of the holiday gifts.
This year the Adopt-A-Child Program received a record number of requests from the community. “There are people who are still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Ida,” said Janice Cassimatis, Intake Coordinator for Fisherman’s Mark who also manages the Adopt-A Child and -Senior programs for the organization. “They account for the uptick in requests this year.”
Fisherman’s Mark clients share their children’s wish lists which are then uploaded to the Adopt-A-Child website. Individuals, families, clubs, homerooms and businesses then adopt the lists or send in monetary donations toward their purchase. The gifts are dropped off and tagged at Fisherman’s Mark, and recipients then pick up the items. Robin Hepp, co-director of the program said, “It’s the generous donors that make this so easy and rewarding. They have all helped make someone’s holiday more memorable and special.”
The Adopt-A-Child (and Senior) Program enlists the help of the New Hope Solebury Key Club to assist in every step of the process. Mary Schwander, advisor of the Club said, “Our Key Club members are very committed to serving their community. They are always eager to step-up and volunteer when there is a need.
“Each year that the club members participate in Adopt-a-Child, they walk away with a sense of accomplishment and pride, knowing that they help to make a brighter holiday for many children and senior citizens in their region,” Schwander said. “They are always amazed at the generosity of community members who purchase gifts and give large monetary donations. It’s my belief and hope that this program incites them to continue to give service throughout their lives.”
“The outpouring of love and support from the community for their neighbors in need is humbling,” said Jennifer Williford, Executive Director for Fisherman’s Mark. “I wish there was a way to measure how much joy the program provides for our clients.”
Fisherman’s Mark is a nonprofit 501(c)3 social services organization. They are accepting donations for Hurricane Ida Relief at www.fishermansmark.org/donations.