Get Connected with Families in Need for the Holidays
The Heartland United Way is working to make the holidays brighter this year for local families through the Toys for Tots and Adopt a Family gift assistance programs. For both holiday programs, the Heartland United Way relies on the community to help provide for all of the children and families who are referred.
The Toys for Tots program, in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps and Grand Island Salvation Army, provides holiday gifts for local children age 12 and under who might not experience the joy of Christmas otherwise. Donations of new, unwrapped toys appropriate for ages 0 to 12 are being collected at the Heartland United Way office, 410 W 2nd Street, and other participating locations in Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick counties through Sunday, Dec. 18.
In addition to new toy donations, volunteers are needed to adopt local families. The Adopt a Family program enables businesses, community members or organizations to provide clothing, food and gifts for families experiencing tough times this holiday season. Volunteers are paired with a family and provided a description of their situation or special needs.
Donations to both programs stay in our community. The Heartland United Way served over 2,200 children and 82 families last year through these holiday programs. Children and families must be referred by Health & Human Services, a United Way partner agency, school, church or other approved non-profit organization to participate.
Applications for the Toys for Tots program are due Nov. 18. Families who miss this deadline can apply to have their children on the waiting list before Dec. 9. Families experiencing an extraordinary need this holiday season must apply to be recipients of the Adopt a Family program by Dec. 2.
Community members, businesses and groups can help meet the need by donating new toys, adopting a family or providing monetary donations to fill in where needs are not met. To get involved with Toys for Tots or Adopt a Family, contact the Heartland United Way at 308-382-2675.
