The Adopt-A-Family Program and the Power of Giving
With the gift giving season right at the doorstep, we’re getting the lists ready. If you haven’t already started shopping, you might be eyeing deals and setting your budget. There’s excitement and anticipation in bringing that perfect present to someone whose eyes will light up with appreciation. And while we all focus on our families and friends at this time of year, it’s also an important time for charitable giving. At FFCCU, supporting our communities is woven into everything we do. This November and December, we’re honored to once again join forces with The Littlest Heroes for our Adopt-A-Family program, spreading joy to families struggling with pediatric cancer.
MEET THE LITTLEST HEROES & THE ADOPT-A-FAMILY PROGRAM
The Littlest Heroes is a nonprofit organization providing financial and emotional support to families who have a child living with cancer. They make a monumental impact every year, aiding over 9,000 families since their founding back in 2001. Every holiday season The Littlest Heroes spotlights families in need. Individuals and organizations receive a list with the wants and needs of a family struggling with pediatric cancer. The participants then rush off on a shopping spree, fulfilling as many of those holiday wishes as possible!
THE RIPPLE EFFECT CAUSED BY CANCER
But what does that mean, “to support families struggling with pediatric cancer?” You’re probably familiar with charitable initiatives that bring gifts, travel, performance, and celebrity meet and greet opportunities to children and adolescents experiencing devastating diseases. These charities focus their care on the children who are afflicted. Tragically, the difficulties cancer causes tends to spread even beyond the person it directly afflicts.
Sky-high medical costs, long car rides to long doctor appointments, and intensive schedules affect the entire family. The Littlest Heroes reports that it isn’t uncommon for a parent to lose 25%-50% of employment income (or lose employment entirely) to refocus on caring for their child or young adult. Many families report 15-40 hours a week to address healthcare needs. Siblings must navigate the stress of stepping into a supporting role and accepting new limitations. The sheer cost of care – which frequently starts at $5,000 a year, entirely out of pocket, can change the financial situation for the whole family.
This is why The Littlest Heroes cast such a wide net, to offering seasonal care and comfort for all family members involved. While their bodies may not be fighting the battle, everyone else in the home makes sacrifices and feels the impact in their own way. Boosting the spirits of everyone in the home acknowledges the impact overall family wellness has on treatment.
FFCCU DOES OUR PART: THE ADOPT-A-FAMILY PROGRAM
2024 marks the second year that FFCCU is participating in Adopt-A-Family. Our members, teammates, and even shared-branching friends came out strong with support in the form of gifts and monetary donations in 2023. Take a look at the breakdown below:
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
We’d love to have the support of members, family or anyone who wants to help those in need this holiday season. The process is just a few easy options so you can give in the way that suits you.
- Pickup up a Gift Tag in branch: Stop into any FFCCU branch location and snag a tag from our holiday tree. The tag will include what gift is desired and which family member it is for. These include gift cards and items like daily essentials which you might be inclined to purchase in quantity. Purchase the item(s) you wish to donate, then head back to the same branch with gift and tag in hand. Let the teller know you have Adopt-A-Family program donations and they will collect and log your contribution.
- Make a Monetary Donation In-Branch: No time to shop? You can contribute a cash donation right in the branch! Donated dollars will either go to acquire gifts that have yet to be purchased, or are given directly to The Littlest Heroes. Just speak to a teller to donate.
- Digital Donation to The Littlest Heroes: If you can only make a digital donation, you can do so directly to The Littles Heroes from this web page. Select the “Add Note/Comment” button and write “FFCCU Adopt-A-Family Program” to indicate that you are giving as a member of Firefighters Community Credit Union.
You’re welcome to donate anonymously if you prefer not to associate your name with your gift. Also, please leave all gifts unwrapped. Many families enjoy wrapping the presents themselves as part of their holiday traditions.
The deadline for all donations is TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2024. Be sure to have all gifts and tags back to your branch before end of business that day. November and December move fast, so there’s no time to waste! Step out into the seasonal surroundings and make a difference to a struggling family today!
Posted In: FFCCU Services
