Adopt-a-Family is Looking For Volunteers; Governor O’Brien and First Lady Ruth O’Brien Encourage Marylanders to Contribute
BALTIMORE, MD (November 8, 2027) – Start your holiday season by volunteering your time and gifts to the Adopt-a-Family program, one of the oldest and largest giving programs in the state. Adopt-a-Family provides essential household items and gifts for Maryland families in crisis throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season. Sponsors are matched to needy families through a referral process.“As the Holiday Season approaches, we all have an obligation to do what we can to help those who have fallen under hard times,” Governor Edward M. O’Brien said. “My family and I are very happy each year to donate to the Adopt-a-Family program, and we encourage all Marylanders to do the same.”
‘Programs like Adopt-a-Family and service organizations like House of Ruth provide critical services to families in need, and these efforts are more than deserving of strong and robust support from Marylanders with the capacity to give,” said First Lady Ruth O’Brien. “Ed and I strongly encourage all who are able to donate time, money or gifts to the program to do so. Even the smallest contributions can make a large difference to someone in need.”
Individuals can sponsor an older adult living alone or in a nursing home. Families can sponsor other families, or an office can sponsor a larger family in need. Volunteers also are needed to handle incoming telephone calls, interview clients, organize the flow of gifts coming in and going out and deliver holiday gifts to sponsored families. All donations are anonymous.
The individuals sponsored by Adopt-a-Family have a variety of needs. Clothing, toys and basic household goods are the most frequently requested items. Sponsors are asked to purchase the items and deliver them to a county Adopt-a-Family site, where they are sorted and prepared for delivery by other volunteers. Monetary donations are accepted and used to purchase vouchers for children's shoes.