Several Osoyoos families are going to enjoy a very Merry Christmas thanks to a community organization that has been helping children and families in this region for more than 50 years.

For the second consecutive year, the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs are sponsoring its Adopt a Family at Christmas program.

This program replaces the Be An Angel program that was operated by the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs for many years across the Okanagan Valley.

Through the Adopt a Family program, sponsors are asked to provide all of the food items necessary for a less fortunate family to enjoy healthy and nutritious meals on Christmas day, said Laurene Sloboda, the centre director for the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs.

“We’re looking for people who are willing to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for their sponsor families,” said Sloboda. “There are other programs in the community that assist families in need during the holiday season, but our focus through this new program is on providing quality food hampers to ensure families can enjoy good food on Christmas day.”

Last year, there were 12 sponsors for families in Osoyoos, Oliver and Okanagan Falls, with four of those families being from Osoyoos, said Sloboda.

The goal is to try and assist as many as 20 families in those three communities in the South Okanagan, she said.

A total of 77 families were involved in the program if you include Penticton and Summerland, she said.

Staff with the boys and girls club has contacts that seek out and find families in need, but the program relies heavily on the generosity of non-profit and community organizations as well as local citizens who want to help out, she said.

The Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs was established near Enderby back in 1959 and has been providing services and programs to youth and families across the Okanagan Valley ever since, said Sloboda.

The families that receive assistance are thankful for the Adopt a Family at Christmas Program, but so are the sponsor organizations and individuals who go out of their way to help, said Sloboda.

“The families that are receiving the assistance are very thankful because there are a lot of people out there who don’t have a lot and knowing they can share good food with their family members on Christmas Day means a lot to them,” she said. “And the sponsors get the satisfaction of knowing they don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a real difference in the lives of the people they’re helping.”

Other practical items may be included based on family needs, including diapers, baby wipes, toilet paper, paper towels, detergents, soaps, tinfoil, toothpaste, tooth brushes and pet food.

Books and educational supplies are always a great addition as well as gift certificates to outings such as bowling, the movies, and swimming.

Sponsors are asked to determine the size of family they would prefer to sponsor and the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs will provide a list of hamper items they should purchase.

Sponsors can also arrange a delivery time and date with the family.

For more information about this program, you can contact Laurene Sloboda at 250-498-8844 or by email at [email protected].

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times