With your help, Families
Share will deliver our
500thcare package in 2011.
To all of our participants, Thank-you
so much for your generosity!
How
Families Share works:
We support families throughout
Peterborough county who are struggling. Our families are selected for us by one of several partner organizations . We then pair those families with
sponsors who are interested in creating a care package. We welcome participation
from anyone: individuals, families, and groups who choose to sponsor a
family together.
In order to deliver the care packages in time for Christmas,
our deadline for 2011 is December 9th. Please email by that date to
arrange pick-up or delivery.
Our mission is not only to support local families in need, but also to give sponsoring families a way to help that goes beyond giving money. For example, by working with their parents to create a care package, children in sponsoring families can learn about charity in a positive way that shows them their power to help. Similarly, parents in sponsor families can use this program to teach their children about the difference between "wants" and "needs". We also differ from someother Christmas charities in that our care packages contain items for the whole family. We encourage sponsors to include things that each family might need such as clothing, diapers, and personal care products - although toys are welcome too!
Families Share can not select recipient
families directly or accept applications
for aid. We are partnered with several
community organizations who already have
established relationships with the families
whom we support.
1.
Contact
Families Share by CLICKING HERE
2. When you sign-up for the program, you will be given
a description of the family whom you will be sponsoring (number, age
and sex of children, etc.)
3. Please place your gifts inside a
reusable shopping bag
(these
are available from most grocery stores, are of a standard size, and usually
cost $1...NOT TOO BIG, PLEASE!)
4. Choosing Gifts : See BELOW for ideas. We ask that your gifts be non-denominational and unwrapped. Please avoid choking hazards such as hard candy & toys with small parts. Also, please do not include breastmilk substitutes (formula, etc.), or artificial infant feeding supplies (bottles, pacifiers, etc). Knitted and other hand-made items are very welcome!
5. Spread the word! Please send this website to anyone whom you think would like to be involved. Click Here for a flyer (pdf) to attach to your email message, or to print-off and give to your friends.
6. Honour the generous spirit of someone you love by sponsoring a family in their name! Sign-up for the program, and we can send you a beautiful gift card to give to your loved one.
Some
local merchants will be providing discounts to shoppers with a Families
Share coupon. Once you sign-up for the program, you will receive your
printable coupon by email.
Our program supports families of all sizes. Some are single
parents, while others may have 2 adult caregivers and several
children. A family will be assigned to you at random, and you are asked
to provide at least one small gift for each adult family member, and one "want" + one "need" for each child. If you are
providing a care package to a mother & baby, please include several
of the suggested infant gifts, as well as a small gift for the mom.
Infants (if
you aren't given an exact age, please buy size 6 months, diaper size 3):
diapers; diaper cream; bath soap; infant-safe toys; board books; onesies/sleepers;
socks; hats & mitts; blankets
Young children: school supplies; games; toys & books; hats & mitts;
socks
Parents & Teens: bath supplies, hair accessories; mugs, school
supplies; gift certificates (movie theater, music store, etc.); hot chocolate,
calendar, candles; hats, mitts, scarves; socks; ball cap; shaving supplies;
magazines; etc.
If
you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch:
info@familieshare.org