Holiday Bureau “Adopt A Family”

The Ballard Center is proud to be part of the Holiday Bureau’s collaborative network of local nonprofits that help match families in need with donors who provide enrolled families with holiday gifts.

Who is eligible for this program?
Any family living in Douglas County with children who are under the age of 18. All children will receive gifts worth a rough value of $75 per person, and one parent/guardian from each family will be eligible to request gifts for themselves.

When do Adopt-A-Family sign-ups open and close this year?
Ballard will open the application process on October 21st, 2024, and will close the application process on November 8th, 2024. All interested applicants can call the Ballard Center at 785-842-0729 to schedule a 30-minute enrollment appointment with Ballard’s Adopt-A-Family support staff.

NOTE: All the enrollment appointments will last 30 minutes, be held onsite at the Ballard Center (708 Elm St., Lawrence, KS) and will be held Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If those times do not work for your family, please email kathrine@ballardcenter.org or call 785-842-0729 and request to speak with Kat.

What documentation will I need to enroll my family?
A picture ID for one of the adults enrolling their family in the program. Proof of children in household- this can be a free/reduced school lunch letter with each child’s name listed, DCF benefit letter with the children’s names listed, or a SS card or Birth Certificate for each child.

IMPORTANT!!!! Ballard will NOT allow adults or children to ask for gift cards. Donors want to shop for presents for each enrolled member of the family!

What if I only speak Spanish?
Comuníquese con Somos Lawrence
Opción A. ¡Llámenos! Deje un mensaje de voz en el número de Somos Lawrence: (785) 813-1098. Indique en el mensaje su nombre, número de teléfono y motivo general de su llamada.
Opción B. Rellene el formulario Somos Lawrence

What if I want to be a donor and provide a family with holiday gifts?
Please visit Donor Information for more information and email our CEO, Kyle Roggenkamp at Kyle@ballardcenter.org or call his cell 785-764-0878 to adopt a family.

“There is no greater joy, nor greater reward, than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life.” –

Mary Rose McGeady

hallway filled with many sets of wrapped packages and gifts