In 2012, Combined Community Services in Warsaw made it possible for 500 families to have a memorable Christmas. This year, CCS – along with the many generous businesses, schools, churches and individuals who join them – expect to have just as many families in need of some holiday spirit.

Adopt-a-Family has been a part of CCS offerings for 16 years. Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, director of client assistance, said the number of families coming in for assistance to have the Christmas they may not otherwise have, has grown so much since 2009 that the guidelines for who is eligible for help have changed. “That was the year the economy tanked,” Lisenbee-Wright explained, “so we opened applications up only for new families on the first day.”

Each year, CCS welcomes the less fortunate to register for the Adopt-a-Family program. “Because we have so many families, we do ask those who have families who help them or buy them gifts to not sign up so that others who truly would have no Christmas have the opportunity to be adopted,” Lisenbee-Wright explained. “Adopt-a-Family is for those who won’t have a Christmas any other way.”

Last year, CCS saw 247 new families on the first day of registration. “Those were families who had never received help before,” said Lisenbee-Wright. In total, though, CCS helped 500 families and expect just as many to sign up this year.

Adopt-a-Family is open to Kosciusko County residents only. Each household must have school-aged children residing there full time and they must not be signed up for assistance from any other agency or church. CCS works closely with The Salvation Army to assure no duplicated services, and Lisenbee-Wright encourages area schools and churches that provide assistance to families to notify the agency so as many people as possible can receive help.

Just as important for CCS is those who adopt the families. Applicants are asked to provide ages and sizes for those in the household and list some things each person may want. Expensive or extravagant wishes are not permitted, but no dollar amount is set on what adopters choose to spend.

Applications for all first-time families to be part of the Adopt-a-Family program will be accepted beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, and close at 2 p.m. that same day. Translators will be available to help applicants. The number of families and adopting businesses, churches and individuals will determine if CCS extends it’s Adopt-a-Program registration after Thanksgiving.

“Christ said to give, I hate to say ‘no’,” said Lisenbee-Wright. “Our emergency assistance does the best we can to share the love of Christ with people.”

Those wanting to adopt a family or multiple families can call CCS at 574-269-6019 Ext. 222, or go into the office at 1195 Mariners Dr., Warsaw, beginning at 10 a.m Thursday, Nov. 7. Information may also be obtained by emailing Lisenbee-Wright at [email protected], or CCS community liaison Jill Greenwood at [email protected].

If the Adopt-a-Family registration opens up for additional applicants after Thanksgiving, CCS will notify StaceyPageOnline.com and that information will be passed along to our readers.