Adopt-a-Family program recap

Marlene Diskin and Kim Schweitzer

For the ninth year, many Ranchers participated in the Adopt-a-Family program that brightens the hearts and holidays of many of our neighbors to the north.

The Mountain Vista School provided information about 18 families with 51 children who qualified for participation in the program. Our SBR residents then selected an angel from our holiday tree and generously donated gifts of clothing and toys, or chose to make a monetary donation that was used to buy food for the families.

On December 19, a caravan of five cars, a pickup truck and ten helpers delivered 126 bags of groceries and 51 beautifully wrapped gifts. Additionally, checks for $959 each were sent to the Tri-Community Food Bank and IMPACT of Southern Arizona.

Our goal was to bring a little joy into the lives of children; however, it was difficult to tell who benefitted more, the receivers or the givers.

Thank you to all the volunteers: Marlene Diskin, Kim Schweitzer, Betty Ryan, Dick Ryan, Denise Doepke, Cyndie Grover, Monica Gustafson, Mark Wong, Peter Bratz, Larry Schweitzer, Pauline Albert, Kim Bull and Karen Malek.

“Even if it’s a little thing, do something for those who have need of a man’s help–something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. For, remember, you don’t live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here, too.”—Albert Schweitzer