Adopt-A-Family returns for another holiday season

Mike Lawrence - Staff Writer

For many people the holiday season is a time of joy and reflection, but for others it can prove to be a difficult, even painful time of year. That’s where the Sioux Lookout First Step Women’s Shelter (FSWS) comes in. With the FSWS’s longstanding Adopt-A-Family program, Sioux Lookout residents can go a long way towards ensuring less fortunate families in our community have the things they need to make this holiday season a bit brighter. When an individual sponsors a family in need, they are provided a wish list of items the family could use. The sponsor can then donate gifts or donations for their adopted family. The shelter will also gladly accept donations for those unable to adopt a family of their own. The shelter will then distribute said donations to families in need. Besides cash donations, the shelter also accepts non-perishable food items and gift certificates.

Families who receive assistance do so confidentially.  As Laura Duguay, Transition Support Worker at FSWS explains, “You don’t get to know the family you sponsor. It’s all confidential… we will say, like, boys or girls, sizes, ages, favorite colors, favorite toys…we try to provide as much information as possible in a very detailed list.”

Those interested in offering support, or wishing to learn more are encouraged to reach out to Laura at 737-1438, or email laurad@FSWS.ca.