With snow coming to Nebraska last Sunday, you might already be thinking about the holidays. That’s good news because the time is approaching to inform the Nebraska Medicine Department of Social Work if your department would like to participate in the med center’s Adopt a Family Program.
Last year, 74 Nebraska Medicine and UNMC departments adopted 78 families. Some departments adopted more than one family.
“We are always amazed by the generosity of our colleagues,” said Jennifer Sparrock, manager, social work. “The ongoing support for the families we serve at Nebraska Medicine is greatly appreciated. Those in need range from individuals who are ill, alone and have financial challenges to families with several children.”
Social Work has begun identifying those families in need of assistance this year. If your department would like to adopt a family, please fill out this form and email it to cvaleika@nebraskamed.com or fax it to 402-559-4668 by Friday, Nov. 2.
Please include the amount your department will be able to contribute. This helps determine the size of family that can be helped. Also, please indicate if your department would be willing, or prefer, to provide just gift cards to a location(s) of the family’s choice, allowing them to shop for themselves. Many families/parents express the joy of shopping for Christmas for their families, where others need the assistance in the actually obtaining and wrapping of the items.
The social work office will then match your department with a family and provide a wish list, with ages and sizes.
“We will do everything we can to make sure each department is matched with a family before Thanksgiving weekend,” Sparrock said.
All departments big and small can participate. Donations of all sizes will help our families in need. Donations can be combined with other departments to support a larger family, if needed.
All donations will come directly to the social work office at Nebraska Medical Center in University Tower, room 2404 (specifically to social work administrative assistant Cyndi Valeika).
To ease the process:
- Please deliver gift cards to the social work office by Friday, Dec. 7.
- Please deliver gifts to the social work office no later than Monday, Dec. 17.
- Please no food deliveries. If you would like to assist with holiday meals, we ask that you provide a gift card to allow the family to shop for food for themselves at a store of their choice.
- Please indicate a contact person and number for your department whom we may contact with any questions.
- You can contact the social work office at 402-559-4420 regarding questions about your donations.
Because the contributions are given directly to families, they are not tax deductible. If you or your department would like to make a tax-deductible gift, checks can be made out to the University of Nebraska Foundation. Tax deductible online donations can be made here through the Nebraska Medicine Patient and Family Experience Fund.