The holiday season is quickly approaching and everyone involved with Mentor Iowa is excited about our upcoming adopt-a-family program. Our adopt-a-family program may be the only opportunity for our children to receive any gifts this holiday season, so it is important that we do everything possible to make them feel special during this festive time.
At this time, Mentor Iowa asks you to consider becoming a sponsor for a family that is involved in our program. Adopt a family sponsor’s work with the Mentor Iowa office to purchase needed items for the family. Mentor Iowa distributes a wish list to mentors, and then the mentor discusses with their mentee’s family what they need and want for the holiday season. Items needed typically include: clothing, household items, shoes, books, games and whatever else is on the child’s wish list. The average amount spent on each child is approximately $100, but you can choose the amount you want to spend on the child(ren).
This opportunity is looking for sponsors only at this time. The adopt-a-family program is designed to help the children referred to Mentor Iowa and partnering agencies. Last year we were able to support 374 children and foresee that number rising this year. Due to limited adopt-a-family sponsors, children outside of our referral sources are not being accepted at this time.
Mentor Iowa is a non-profit, volunteer organization that was started in 1974 by citizens of the community, a Juvenile Court Judge, and court personnel, all of whom were concerned about the growing number of children served by the court. The mission of the organization is to provide trained volunteer mentors to at-risk children in need of a positive adult role model. We do this by working in partnership with the children, their families, and the community. Community volunteers present a solution by providing the mentor services to the ever-increasing number of Children in Need of Assistance and delinquent youth in central Iowa.
Our creed is “Every Child Deserves a Future.” By fulfilling this request, we can continue to achieve our mission and better the community. Please contact the Mentor Iowa office by Friday, November 22nd if you are interested in becoming an adopt a family sponsor and how many children you would like to purchase gifts for. If you do participate, we will have your needs list sent to you by the latest Wednesday, November 27th. We would like the gifts back to our offices by Monday, December 9th so we can start the distribution process to our mentors and partnering agencies. This year, we are asking our sponsors to wrap their purchased gifts. If you can create a list that has the items purchased, we will present to the parent so they know what their child(ren) are receiving.
We hope this information assists you in making a decision to become a part of Mentor Iowa’s adopt-a-family program this holiday season. This year has continued to present a lot of challenges to Mentor Iowa but this holiday season will bring hope, joy and laughter to our children in these trying times.
THANK YOU for your time to consider being a sponsor in our adopt-a-family program. If you have any questions regarding Mentor Iowa's adopt-a-family program, please feel free to contact Marty Lester at 515-277-9797.
