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Share Our Selves Adopt A Family 2014: Can you help?

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The Daily Pilot partners with Share Our Selves each holiday season to provide necessities and gifts to families in need throughout our area.

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This holiday season marks the 45th year of Share Our Selves’ Annual Adopt A Family program, a tradition that helps struggling Orange County families by providing gifts and food for the holidays. Since the beginning of the program, more than 45,500 families have been “adopted.” This year, the Adopt A Family program will connect donors with more than 1,100 families recommended by Costa Mesa and Santa Ana organizations and schools.

To participate, SOS asks that donors agree to provide each child in the family with at least two new gifts and the family with a complete holiday dinner, grocery gift cards or just gifts.

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To adopt a family, note the family’s number and call to say which family you would like to adopt. The SOS Adopt A Family program can be reached at (949) 270-2187 or AAF2014@shareourselves.org.

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SOS provided the Daily pilot with information about the following families:

FAMILY #528

This family’s mom has recently moved them back to Orange County to be close to her parents while her husband is on active military duty at a Chicago area Navy base. One child has Down syndrome and a heart condition, so most of mom’s time has to be spent with her. Her parents are able to provide care for the other two children.

Finances are tight. The children could all use warm clothes, and a few toys would bring cheer since their father will not be with them this Christmas.

Boy, 1: Toddler toys, clothing, pajamas, stuffed animals, educational toys

Girl, 2:Pajamas, slippers, sleeping bag, soft doll

Girl, 13: Clothing, play makeup, costume jewelry, purse, pajamas

Mother: Household items, clothing, toiletries, diapers and Pull-Ups (for children), and laundry supplies

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FAMILY #831

This family of nine struggles daily. The father works hard as a tree trimmer/landscaper. Mom is unable to work because of medical issues. One of their sons was born prematurely and has a genetic syndrome affecting his heart, intestines, growth and development. He requires specialized interventions and has many appointments with healthcare providers. Despite their challenges, this loving family still managed to open their home and hearts to two nieces ages 10 and 5. It is difficult for them to meet the family’s basic needs. A grocery gift card would allow the family to select the foods they need most and can store in their limited space.

Girl, 15: Women’s floral print backpack, black handbag, makeup, lotions from bath and body sets

Boy, 5: Mack truck toy, Lightning McQueen (“Cars”) items, talking Woody or Buzz Light Year

Boy, 11 months: Any infant toddler toys

Girl, 10: This niece lives with the family. Anything would be a surprise.

Girl, 5: This is a second niece living with the family. Doc McStuffins doll or Cuddles and Hugs Lambie doll

Boy, 11: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Legos. He is a nephew who lives with the family.

Girl, 9: Disney “Frozen” doll and DVD

Mother: Perfume, gift card for food (Northgate Market, La Superior Market)

Father: Gift card to Payless Shoes, Shoe City or another shoe store

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FAMILY #832

This family of nine has been struggling financially for a long time. Dad has had a difficult time finding steady work. Mom suffered severe domestic abuse from the older girls’ father, has severe medical conditions, some the result of the domestic violence, and is unable to contribute financially. One of the kids is developmentally delayed, requiring specialized medical and therapeutic interventions. Times are desperate for this loving family, but they are trying their best to survive and give their children a better life. It is difficult for them to meet the family’s basic needs; there is often not enough money for food. A grocery gift card to Food4Less, Stater Bros. or Northgate Market would allow the family to select the foods they need most and can store in their limited space. Many family members need new shoes. A gift card to Payless Shoes or Shoe City would assure the perfect choice and fit. Nothing is more welcome at Christmas than a new toy or game. This is sure to bring a smile to the children and to their parents.

Girl, 13: Scooter, gift card to Payless Shoes or Shoe City, board games, Barbie

Girl, 12: Barbie, gift card to Payless Shoes or Shoe City

Boy, 7: Skateboard or remote control car

Boy, 3: Disney Lightning McQueen car, gift card to Payless Shoes or Shoe City

Girl, 3: Disney Princess doll, kitchen or dinnerware play set

Boy, 18 months: Disney “Cars” toys, balls

Girl, 5 months: Any baby toy, diapers size 2

Mother: Gift card to Payless Shoes or Shoe City, a blender, gift cards for food (Food4Less, Stater Bros., Northgate)

Father: Gift card to Payless Shoes, Shoe City or another shoe store

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FAMILY #826

This blended family of eight has had a very difficult year. Dad lost his job with benefits and mom picked up additional hours until their daughter was born. The child was born with severe kidney problems and a birth defect that has resulted in deafness in the left ear. Mom returned to work shortly after her birth, but the family experienced a further setback when Mom had emergency gallbladder surgery. The family’s savings has been exhausted and they are now living with family members. The children have never experienced a Christmas morning with gifts other than what they have seen on TV and in movies. The children have made several extravagant wishes, but Mom says what the family needs most are clothes, gas cards and food. The family is living in limited space and the children have no toys.

Boy, 15: Could use clothes, gift cards for clothes, perhaps at Target, movie tickets, McDonalds gift cards

Boy, 12: Play Station 3, gift cards for games. He composed a letter to Santa on behalf of his two younger brothers and himself.

Boy, 9: Would love an electronic tablet like he uses at school for use by the whole family, Adidas soccer ball, remote-control car

Boy, 5: Remote-control car and Legos.

Girl, 7 months: A soft doll for an infant. Diapers size 3

Mother: Gift cards from Target to buy household necessities, detergent, diapers, shoes

Father: Gas cards for travel to doctor appointments, gifts for kids enough

Adult male child: Gas card for going to work and community college. Fast-food gift cards

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FAMILY #628

This family of four faces financial and medical hardships. The father has been unemployed for about two years, but tries to provide for his family by washing and repairing cars. The youngest daughter has been suffering from seizures at night for the past year. She has been in and out of the hospital since then. Because of medical expenses, the family is forced to rent a garage because apartments are too costly. They have no money for Christmas this year.

Girl, 6: Singing Elsa doll from Disney’s “Frozen,” needs pajamas, socks, underwear, an electronic tablet to share with her sister

Girl, 8: Music device, Little Pet Shop toys, Legos from the Lego movie, needs socks, underwear and pajamas

Mother: Juicer, bed sheets (queen size), needs clothes, stretch pants

Father: T-shirts from Quicksilver or ECKO

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FAMILY #424

This family has experienced some extremely difficult times. There is a history of domestic violence and homelessness. Mom has recently become a single mother. She is currently renting a room to share with her children. Adding to the difficulties, mom is recovering from a car accident she was involved in while taking her children to school. This family is trying to make ends meet on a very tight budget. Mom said she would be grateful for anything.

Everyone in this family is in need of warm clothes and shoes for the winter. Gift cards to Payless Shoes and Target would provide an opportunity for this family to meet these essential needs.

Christmas for the youngest would be brighter with toys like Hot Wheels and a radio-controlled car. A gift for everyone in this family would add to the joy of the season for them. Food and grocery store gift cards would also be a great choice for this family.

Boy, 9: Shirts, pants, shorts, shoes, a winter sweatshirt, Hot Wheels, a remote-controlled car, also likes soldiers, favorite color is blue

Girl, 11: Boots (size 6), clothes

Boy, 16: Shoes, clothes

Girl, 14: Boots, clothes

Mother: She said she would be grateful for anything.

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FAMILY #252

The father, the sole provider for this family, died from cancer in Mexico, where he was receiving treatment. It was a shock to the family. Their extended family is in Mexico and they have no one to support them here. The mother did not work because the father wanted her to be home with the children. This will be a very difficult Christmas for this needy family. Gift cards to a discount department store such as Target, Kohls or Wal-Mart would be very welcomed.

Boy, 14: Clothes

Boy, 10: Clothes

Boy, 9: Clothes

Girl, 3: Clothes

Girl, 2: Clothes

Mother: Mother does not request anything for herself. She states that all her children love Jesus, and she would like to request clothing for them.

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FAMILY #668

Grandma has adopted the 13-year-old girl she has taken care of her since she was 2. Grandma does not work and lives in a very small apartment. The child wears the same clothes every day, and her shoes are badly worn. They are struggling for their most basic needs. Everyone in the family needs shoes, so consider a gift card to Payless Shoes, Shoe City or another shoe store. Gift cards for groceries would provide special treats for the holidays.

Girl, 13: Her favorite colors are black and yellow. She likes One Direction (music band), crafts, books and board games.

Boy, 8: His favorite color is blue. He likes cars, books and board games.

Girl, 6: Her favorite color is pink. She would like a Barbie doll, dollhouse and books.

Girl, 4: Her favorite color is purple. She would like dolls from Disney’s “Frozen” movie, coloring books and crayons.

Grandma: Her favorite color is blue. She would like a blouse and towels.

Adult female child: Her favorite colors are blue and gray. She would like a sweater and sweats.

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FAMILY #636

This family consists of elderly grandparents, their disabled son and four grandchildren. There is very little money coming in and the grandparents are sorrowful that they won’t be able to provide any special holiday treats. Everyone needs warm clothing. A grocery store gift card would be welcome so the children can have nourishing food. In addition, a new toy or game would make the grandchildren happy.

Boy, 7: “How to Train Your Dragon” movie or character figures.

Boy, 3: “Transformers” cars, soccer ball

Boy, 14: Soccer ball, skateboard

Girl, 13: History books or any reading material (loves to read), musical instruments such as drums

Adult male child: Clothes, a winter jacket

Grandmother: Pajamas

Grandfather: Shorts and a T-shirt to run in.

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FAMILY #829

This family of five has had many challenges and struggles over the years. The two 7-year-olds spent the first four years of their lives in a rehabilitation hospital waiting for liver transplants. They are unable to digest food and live completely on intravenous feedings. One boy finally received a transplant but later rejected the liver. Both boys are positive and take their illness in stride. The entire family remains optimistic that one day the boys will be totally healthy. This humble family has not asked for much. A grocery store gift card would allow the family to select the foods they need most. Gas cards to lessen the expense of driving to work and medical appointments would be appreciated. Receiving new toys would go a long way to making the children’s Christmas brighter.

Boy, 9: Dinosaurs, Legos, the color blue, baseball, football, and soccer items

Boy, 7: Disney movies, bears, the color orange

Boy, 7: Loves the color purple, sports balls

Mother: Would prefer gift cards for Stater Bros. or Albertsons for food

Father: Gas cards for work and medical appointments

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