While there are a few tricks or treats to be had and turkeys to be eaten, before we know it, white flakes will be flying. That means the time is approaching to inform Social Work at Nebraska Medicine if your department would like to participate in our Adopt a Family program.
Last year, 83 Nebraska Medicine and UNMC departments adopted 85 families. Some departments adopted more than one family.
“It’s hard to articulate just how much our colleagues’ generosity means to our families,” said Jennifer Sparrock, manager, Social Work. “While this support is invaluable to so many, it’s also been touching to see departments coming together in such a fun way. It’s great to see folks bring the gifts into our office each year knowing they are really going to make the holidays special for people at a time when they may be going through some great difficulties.”
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 the department or fax it to 402-559-4668 by Nov. 4.
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 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 assistance in actually obtaining and wrapping the items.
Social Work 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, level two, room 2404 (specifically to administrative assistant Cyndi Valeika).
To ease the process:
- Please deliver gift cards to the Social Work office by Monday, Dec. 9
- Please deliver gifts to the Social Work office no later than Wednesday, Dec. 18
- 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 University of Nebraska Foundation. Tax deductible online donations can be made through the Nebraska Medicine Patient and Family Experience Fund.
How does a family register?