Kim Schweitzer
“Adopting” a family for Christmas is an incredible way to help our neighbors and feel good about doing it.
This year, Linda Russell, the Adopt–A–Family coordinator asked me if the residents at SaddleBrooke Ranch could fulfill all the children’s wishes from Mountain Vista School in Oracle. In the past, residents of SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch had worked together to support all the Oracle school children. That meant that the number of angels and families would double from the previous year. Betty and I had no qualms about our Ranchers stepping up to the plate and getting the job done!
So, along with the borrowed travelling Christmas tree, (thank you again Sharon and Steve Groth) over three nights and two mornings, we set up shop and shared with our neighbors the story of why we support the Adopt–A–Family initiative. School professionals provide us with lists of Oracle school children who might not get any gifts this holiday season. We are all so privileged to live in this beautiful community, but many of our neighbors are not so lucky.
Through the generosity of our Ranch neighbors, 35 families (heads of households) received a gift basket and a Basha’s gift certificate; 130 children received beautifully wrapped Barbies, Peppa Pig dolls, unicorn shirts, soccer balls, Play Doh, art supplies, pajamas, comforters, pillows, sneakers, hair accessories, Legos, and other toys, as well as household items.
In addition, we expect to donate more than $2,000 to two local food banks.
The holidays are a wonderful time for giving, and we truly appreciate that you chose to give to the families supported by SaddleBrooke Outreach Adopt-A-Family program.
Thank you to everyone who made someone else’s holiday special.