“Adopt A Family” Donor Information

Adoption Instructions

If you would like to adopt a family or donate to the program, please email CEO, Kyle Roggenkamp at kyle@ballardcenter.org. Please include the number of people you are able to adopt in the email to Kyle – the cost of gifts per person are estimated conservatively at $75.

Donors will receive information on their assigned family including the ages, sexes, and specific holiday gift requests. If clothing is requested, the size will be included. Volunteers are assisting Ballard staff with family intake this year and were encouraged to ask for specific style preferences and descriptions to assist you in shopping for the gifts.

What to do once you receive info on the family/families you’ve adopted:

  • Purchase the gifts – each child receives gifts estimated at $75 per person. These are minimum requirements we set to provide consistency for our clients.
  • It is helpful if a gift receipt is included for easy exchange if the gift is the wrong size.
  • This year we recommend that you DO NOT wrap the gifts, but feel free to provide wrapping supplies to the parent/guardian.
  • Please put the gifts and wrapping supplies in a trash bag for delivery (see delivery instructions below).
  • If you are unable to find a specific gift, feel free to give a gift certificate/card. Many donors include a gift certificate to a local grocery store so that families can purchase a Christmas meal.
  • Contact the family(s) you’ve been assigned to arrange drop off.

If you would like to donate this holiday season but are unable to take on a whole family, there are many other options available to you to still participate in this season of giving. Gift cards, bus passes, diapers and clothing are all welcome as donations to Ballard for distribution to families who may not have had the opportunity to participate in the program this year but are still in need of support.

Adopt-A-Family-Tips

Your family’s information sheet will include a wish list for each child in the family you are matched to, the age, sex, and specific holiday gift requests. If clothing is requested, the size will be included.
  • To assist us in stretching our donor base and assure that no child goes without gifts, only 1 adult in each family will be receiving gifts.
  • Due to regulations, only students and staff are allowed to enter Ballard, limiting the number of anonymous matches we are able to accommodate to our student’s families. Therefore, we will be connecting the vast majority of donors directly to the families to coordinate gift drop-off.
  • You may also find information on the family you adopt. Each family that comes to Ballard has a story of what led them to ask for help and we’d like to share it with you. This year, our wonderful volunteers will not only be gathering the family wish lists, but they will also be listening so that we might identify additional services that may be helpful to achieve stability.
  • If you are having problems finding the perfect gift for children, we have partnered with The Toy Store at 936 Mass Street. They have created a separate rack just for Ballard to make your shopping easy! In addition, Ballard’s therapist has collaborated with The Toy Store staff to identify educational and therapeutic toys to help the kids be the best they can be.
  • If you prefer shopping online or are unable to find a specific gift, gift certificates are very much appreciated.
  • Many donors include a gift certificate to a local grocery store so that families can purchase a Christmas or holiday meal.
  • It is helpful if a gift receipt is included for easy exchange of the gift if needed. To assure receipts and gift certificates are not misplaced in the excitement of opening gifts, place them together in a separate envelope or box and clearly mark it for the adult in the family listed as the contact. If you were not provided a name, you may address it to the parent or guardian (example: “For the Parent” or “For the Guardian”).

Volunteers graciously donate their time to conduct the intake of the families and gather their wish lists. If you have questions about any of the items on the wish list or need anything clarified, please feel free to contact CEO Kyle Roggenkamp. His email is kyle@ballardcenter.org.

Delivery Instructions

Families prefer that gifts be delivered unwrapped to avoid duplications and give the parent the opportunity to assure the child receives their Santa request. Children who believe in Santa are often present when packages are picked up so, please be sure the gifts are not visible, we suggest placing them in a trash bag.

It is helpful to include gift receipts for easy exchange, if needed. To assure receipts and gift certificates are not misplaced in the excitement of opening gifts, place them together in a separate envelope or box and clearly address it to the adult listed on the contact form. If a name was not given please write “For the Parent” or “For the Guardian”.

In addition to adopting families, many people chose to adopt a classroom. By choosing to adopt a classroom, you will be able to be help ensure a long-term, positive community impact by giving our kids the tools they need to graduate from Ballard and meet kindergarten readiness standards. Please consider securing some of the items from the Education wish lists to give our kids everything they need to succeed in school in 2024 and beyond.

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