Adopt-a-family gets strong support

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Despite the hardships presented by the pandemic, Strathmore and area residents have been keen to help families in need.

Each year, the Wheatland Crisis Society (WCS) runs an initiative – Adopt-A-Family – to provide families staying at the Strathmore Shelter or using its outreach services with holiday gifts. The program is open to individuals, families, organizations, faith communities and businesses, which are each matched with a family of their choosing.

Participating donors have the option to either shop from a “wish list” themselves or to provide a cash donation to fund gift buying.

Members of WCS were concerned they were not going to receive as much support this year, said Carly Cole, team lead and communications specialist with the organization. But these worries proved unfounded. Already, WCS has received enough donors to support all 18 of the families in the program.

“It’s amazing and usually it doesn’t happen this soon,” said Cole. “We’re overwhelmed with gratitude.”

There are still opportunities to give, however, to other organizations such as the Strathmore and Wheatland County Christmas Hamper Society, Siksika Health Services and the Siksika Trail Market, she said.

WCS is also still accepting donations; but because of COVID-19, WCS is encouraging financial donations rather than physical donations of items. These donations will be used to support programming and supplies for their clients, said Cole.