It was difficult to handle my emotions when I first noticed in the forum that EdenFantasys was interested in sponsoring families for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and they were reaching out to the EF community to find those families. Projects such as this are dear to my heart, and I have my parents to thank for that.

I grew up in a home that was middle class, not rich, and not poor; we always had what we needed, and usually what we wanted as well.

With each holiday, our family would give up some of what we would have so that others could have something. It wasn’t always a lot that we gave, but it was a blessing none the less.

My hands trembled while I called a local shelter and asked if we were too late to adopt a family. My heart fluttered when Ms. Melissa, the Volunteer Coordinator, on the other end of the phone informed me that there were still families in need of help.

I told her that we wanted to make a big impact, and she told me about a family that sounds absolutely wonderful, and more than deserving for help.

You see, Ms. Melissa works at Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. (FVPS). Even at first glance, the organization sounds like a wonderful cause; as if preventing family violence was not enough, they also offer other programs for families, women, and youth.
Programs offered include:

•Counseling Services for Women, Men, and Children
•Children’s Services Program developed for the specific emotional and social needs of children
•Violence Intervention Program teaching men and women who have abused their partners to change their behavior
•Transitional Housing Program
•P.O.W.E.R. Program (Providing Options With Educational Resources) offering GED, ESL, Computer Literacy, and Banking Basics Education
•Youth Substance Abuse Intervention Program serving juvenile court and school-referred adolescents and their families
•Community Based Counseling Program providing individual counseling services to residents of all San Antonio homeless shelters
•Legal Services Program providing free legal assistance to income-eligible victims of domestic violence.
•Court Liaison Program linking victims involved with the legal system to professional intervention, and helping families work with the Court.

How could we not give back to an organization like this by supporting a family? They help so many people in the San Antonio, Texas area, and I am happy to announce that we will be helping them, by helping a great family!
The family that I have picked is a large family of ten people; yes, you read that correct, TEN! The family started out with the mom and dad, happy together, and not able to have children. So, to start a family, they began with adopting. To date, they have adopted seven children who are all 13 and younger. Just over three years ago, the big family was blessed with a miracle when mom and dad gave birth to a baby they thought they could never have on their own. This little miracle was born with Cerebral Palsy. Mom now stays home to take care of the children, and to be the primary care giver for their youngest child’s special needs. Dad is the bread winner of the home; he supports his family by driving a bus for a local school.

FVPS received the request for help from the oldest child. He is a 13 year old teen who is currently enrolled in the organization’s Youth Substance Abuse Intervention Program. His request for help was simply written, but contained a lot of love for his family.

I cry as I write this, because I am both empathetic to this family’s struggles while being overjoyed that we, as a community, are going to be able to bless this family for this Thanksgiving.

I will be keeping everyone updated as I go shopping for the family, and through the entire process. I will be enlisting the help of my husband, and handing him a camera so that I can document as many events as I am able to (I am not sure if the family will allow photos, but if they will, those will be included as well.)

Thank you to EF for all you do in the community, and a special “thank you” on behalf of the FVPS in San Antonio, as well as the family! less

This post moved me so deeply.

I have been trying to contact local organizations. One organization I contacted doesn't have an "adopt a family" program, per se. Instead, they take donations and set up a co-op to allow families to come in and pick items/food of their choosing. I'm not sure if this is the type of program that EF is looking to support (instead of adopting a specific family)?

I did finally receive an e-mail from another organization I'd contacted last week that DOES match donors with specific families. They informed me that a representative could talk to me over the phone tonight. I'll e-mail Victoria with the info I receive after I've spoken with the rep. less

So EF community, let me ask you this....

We were given $200 to give this family a Thanksgiving meal. Honestly, with the sales coming up, and my coupon/sale skills, we could feed this entire family for $100. What do you say we take on another family at this location as well, and help even more people out? less

If I recall, EF was originally going to sponsor 3 families for Thanksgiving, and since the deadline to contribute is this Thursday, maybe you could sponsor another family if EF approves and there are no other families to sponsor? Or maybe the short deadline is just to get the funds to you quickly.

On another note, I want to donate points, but was wondering would it get split evenly between multiple families if we have them? Or do I have to designate a specific family to donate to?

Thanks again myssecretcollection for doing all of this. less