The Community Assistance Center still needs sponsors for 600 families in its Hope for the Holidays program.
The Hope for the Holidays program connects donors with families lacking the financial resources for holiday gifts. More than 1,550 children received gifts in 2023, and this year CAC set its goal for more than 1,600.
Teenagers Alex Deupree and Sofia Castello proved that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact. The 14-year-old girls recently sponsored a family with two girls through the program, which was previously named CAC’s Adopt-a-Family program, according to a news release.
The teens and their moms spent an afternoon at Target selecting gifts for their sponsored family, a 14-year-old girl and her 6-year-old sister. The girls picked out clothes, toys, and special surprises for the family.
“It was really easy to pick a family from the online portal because we could see the kids’ ages and wish lists right away,” Alex said in the release. “We picked a family, went shopping, and labeled it all in just a few hours on Saturday.”
Alex said they got the girls, and their mother Christmas cards also.
According to the release, Sofia said, “We picked a family that had two girls because we know how to shop for girls! The shopping experience was a lot of fun for me and my best friend. It made me feel really good to help a family in need have a good Christmas.”
Erin Castello, Sofia’s mom, said she was always taught if you are blessed, be a blessing.
“It was heartwarming to watch the girls choose gifts with so much care and compassion,” Erin said.
“This is a season of giving and receiving,” said CAC CEO Francis K. Horton III in a news release. “Part of being a kid is looking forward to a surprise gift during the holiday season. ‘Hope for the Holidays’ allows both giver and receiver to take part in that joy this winter.”
The nonprofit organization asks individuals, groups, congregations, and corporations to purchase holiday gifts for those who may not otherwise receive them. The Hope for the Holidays program goes beyond its basic human needs’ programs of food, clothing, and financial assistance. Horton said the program ensures every registered child in need experiences the excitement and joy of holiday gifts.
The program has children and families enrolled in CAC’s programs complete wish lists, which are fulfilled by donors.
Donors can visit CAC’s Hope for the Holidays portal on its website to support a specific family or contribute directly to the program. Options include direct donations or popular gift items like bicycles (with helmets), tablets, and gift cards to help fill gaps and ensure every child receives a special gift this holiday. Volunteers are also welcome to help receive, sort, and distribute gifts.
For more information on the 2024 “Hope for the Holidays” program, visit ourcac.org/hopefortheholidays. Groups or organizations interested in adopting 10 or more children can contact Youth Programs Coordinator Oscar Nuñez at caccaresforkids@ourcac.org.
Correction: Kat Reynolds was incorrectly identified in the caption information given to Rough Draft Atlanta.
