bring a family holiday cheer
The Littlest Heroes Annual Adopt A Family
The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth, and giving, but for many families battling childhood cancer and other childhood illnesses, it can be an incredibly challenging and stressful period. In these trying times, programs like The Littlest Heroes’ Adopt A Family offer a glimmer of hope and support to those in need.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
15 years of adopt a family
The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth, and giving, but for many families battling childhood cancer and other childhood illnesses, it can be an incredibly challenging and stressful period. In these trying times, programs like The Littlest Heroes’ Adopt A Family offer a glimmer of hope and support to those in need.
What is The Adopt A Family Program?
The Littlest Heroes’ Adopt A Family program is a heartwarming initiative that seeks to connect generous donors with families facing significant health challenges. The program invites individuals, families, and organizations to sponsor or “adopt” a family and provide them with gifts and essential items during the holiday season. It’s a beautiful way to share the spirit of the holidays with those who may be going through difficult times.
How Does it Work?
The process is simple and incredibly rewarding. Here’s how it works:
1. Becoming a Donor: To get started, all you need to do is express your interest in becoming a donor. Kindly complete the Donor Registration Form in the section below.
2. Matching Donors and Families: The Littlest Heroes team works diligently to match donors with families in need. This process ensures that the assistance provided is tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of each family.
3. Receiving the Family Profile: In early November, donors receive a Family Profile. This profile contains crucial information about the family they are sponsoring, including clothing sizes and a ‘wish list’ of items that the family needs or desires. Donors can use this list as a guide for their holiday shopping.
4. Spreading Holiday Cheer: Donors then set out to fulfill the wishes of their adopted family. While the wish list provides helpful suggestions, there is no expectation for donors to purchase every item. Every gift, regardless of its size or value, contributes to the happiness of the family.
5. Gift Delivery: Once the shopping is complete, donors can arrange for the drop-off of gifts at The Littlest Heroes’ office located in Solon during the first week of December. If this isn’t feasible, the program offers pick-up options. Gifts should be left unwrapped, and including gift receipts can be particularly helpful.
Why It Matters
The Adopt A Family program is not just about the material gifts; it’s about spreading love, hope, and joy during a time when it’s needed most. Families facing childhood cancer and other illnesses often experience financial strain, emotional turmoil, and physical exhaustion. The support provided by generous donors helps alleviate some of these burdens and makes the holiday season brighter.
By participating in this program, you become a beacon of hope for a family in need. Your kindness and generosity serve as a reminder that they are not alone in their journey, and there are people who care deeply about their well-being.
Get Involved
The Adopt A Family program is a fantastic way to give back and make a meaningful impact on the lives of families facing adversity. Whether you’re an individual, a family, or an organization, you can be a part of this incredible initiative.
So, as the holiday season approaches, consider joining The Littlest Heroes in their mission to bring hope, joy, and love to families in need. Your participation in the Adopt A Family program will not only make a difference in their lives but will also fill your heart with the true spirit of the season.
Together, we can brighten the holidays for those who need it most.
Let’s make this holiday season truly special for every family, one gift at a time.
Questions?
As always, please don’t hesitate to call (or text) us at 419-376-8100 or email us at volunteer@thelittlestheroes.org with any questions.
Thank you greatly for your generosity!
register as a donor
Frequently Asked Questions
Adopt A Family (AAF) is a seasonal program administered by The Littlest Heroes during the holiday season that matches our pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases families in need with kind donors in the community. Donors are assigned a family to assist based on Donors family size preference. During the holidays Donors purchase new items from the family’s Wish List or gift cards.
If you are interested in being an Adopt A Family donor, complete the AAF Donor Information Form as a PDF or online at thelittlestheroes.org/our-programs/aaf/. The matching process begins in early November but you may send in your applications at any time throughout the year.
In November, we will send you a family profile to review, and you may begin buying gifts for your family once we have confirmed you received your adopted family.
Adopt A Family participants are local families with a child diagnosed with pediatric cancer or other life-threatening diseases. They are referred to the program by social workers at the local hospitals and screened for eligibility through an application process that utilizes our network of partner agencies that specialize in assisting them.
No, the Wish List is a guide to inform donors of the types of items the family needs this holiday season. Donors may purchase the items on the list or any other items they would like for the family. All gifts are at the donor’s discretion. Please provide us with an itemized list of all gifts donated to the family when you drop off the gifts.
The drop-off deadline is Wednesday, December 7th. We accept donor applications up to three (3) days prior to this date, but please allow yourself time to acquire the Wish List items and deliver items to The Littlest Heroes’ Solon Office (32000 Aurora Rd, Solon, Oh 44139). Our goal is to deliver the gifts to families before Christmas, so the earlier we receive them from donors the better.
We are collecting the gifts at our Solon Office located at 32000 Aurora Rd., Solon, Ohio 44139 during normal business hours (9:00am-5:00pm). Please call or email us to arrange another method if needed. We are located in the Signum/Energy Focus building. The glass front doors face Aurora Road. Once inside, proceed up the few stairs to the right and you will see a glass door. Ring the doorbell (or call the number on the TLH sign) and let them know you are there to drop off gifts for The Littlest Heroes. They will let you know where to drop your gifts. Please make sure your gifts are labeled with your family’s last name so we know where they go. If possible, please label which member each item is intended for.
The Littlest Heroes’ Solon office is open on weekdays from 9:00am – 5:00pm.
Yes! We advise you to ship any donations to our Cleveland office so it does not get lost with the other companies at the Solon office. Please ship to 3821 W 160th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44111. Kindly make sure to indicate which family the shipment is intended for.
Yes, all items given through Adopt A Family must be new.
Yes! If you would like to make a general donation to The Littlest Heroes, we will gratefully accept them for families who do not have a specific donor or come to The Littlest Heroes too late in the season.
Yes, you may make a monetary donation in the name of your adopted family (made out to The Littlest Heroes) through our website or by check mailed to PO 470188, Cleveland, Ohio 44147.
Gifts are consolidated at The Littlest Heroes office, and we have wonderful volunteers who deliver the gifts to the families or deliver them at the hospital if the family prefers. Families are also able to get their gifts at our holiday party on December 10th at the SouthPark Mall in Strongsville. As a donor, you are invited to join us and meet your adopted family in person! Families are also permitted to pick up gifts from our Solon office on December 9th.
Yes, monetary gifts are accepted through The Littlest Heroes website. You can donate online at www.thelittlestheroes.org or by mailing a check to PO 470188, Cleveland, Ohio 44147.
You may also drop off gift cards and unwrapped gifts at The Littlest Heroes office, which we will use to fulfill Wish Lists for families who are not paired up with donors. Most families are seeking very basic needs, such as clothing (gloves, hats, coats, socks, etc.), household items (towels, sheets, cleaning supplies, etc.), and toys for young children and teenagers.
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Contact Us
- PO Box 470188, Cleveland, OH 44147
- 1+ 216 202 5306
- 09.00 AM - 05.00 PM
- volunteer@thelittlestheroes.org