Thanks goes out to the Community

Gateway Youth Programs would like to thank the following area businesses, organizations, and families for participating in their Adopt-A-Child program this year: Darke County Beef 4-H Club, Dues Family, Harrison Family, Greenville Technology Inc., Mercer Savings Bank, Pitsburg Trinity Lutheran Church, Webster United Methodist Church, and Whirlpool Corporation. “We can’t thank everyone enough for their support. This program would not be possible without the organizations who so freely give of themselves to assist our families,” said Ruth Barga, Support Specialist at Gateway.

This program matches local families up with local businesses or organizations who volunteer to adopt the children for Christmas. All families must fill out an application to see if they qualify for the program. Once they do, the children’s Christmas lists are given to the business or organization. Each organization decides what they are going to purchase for the child and then they return the gifts to the office all wrapped and ready to deliver to the family.

This year the program assisted in providing Christmas gifts for 74 youth in 29 different families. Two families received new beds and bedding for the kids, while ten youth received new bicycles. Every organization puts their own special touch on the Christmas that they provide for the youth. This depends on the needs and wants of the children as well as the ideas of the organization adopting them. “It is great to see the joy that these gifts provide for both the families and the organizations that adopt them. These organizations put a lot of time, effort, and resources into providing the best Christmas they can for the youth. They create lasting memories with their generosity and belief that no one should go without a Christmas,” said Barga.

If you would like to adopt a child or family in the future, you can contact Ruth Barga at Gateway Youth Programs at 937-548-8002.