Community Corner

Adopt-A-Family Sponsors, Toys Sought

The nonprofit South County Outreach is matching donors with needy families for its annual programs. It's also asking for toys for its holiday store.

South County Outreach says it doesn’t have much trouble finding volunteers to help sort and distribute donations for its holiday toy store and Adopt-A-Family program. But it does face other challenges.

Since 1997, the agency's Adopt-A-Family program has assisted in matching more than 400 families a year to community sponsors during the holidays. Other families – about 500 – that do not get direct sponsorship will be able to select toys and clothes at SCO's store.  

South County Outreach has more than 250 regularly scheduled volunteers; another 1,600 assist throughout the year with food drives and seasonal programs, aiding clients, helping at the food bank, driving trucks, picking up donations, teaching at the computer lab and working at the Upscale Thrift Store.

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But it’s harder to find sponsors, supplies and extra space for its projects, SCO says.

Even so, “we’re so grateful for the support of our community, as we’ve been able to help countless families who struggle to celebrate the holidays with their children,” says executive director Lara Fisher.

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This year, the nonprofit’s toy store, which operates at the organization’s site, will be open Dec. 17-21. Donations of new toys and food can be dropped off at 26776 Vista Terrace, Lake Forest.

Those interested in adopting families can click here for more information.


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