Thanks to the Carlsbad Christmas Bureau, hundreds of needy families each year are able to have a holly, jolly holiday.
The nonprofit organization is able to provide gifts and food items for Carlsbad families each year through its Adopt-a-Family Project. The Christmas Bureau facilitates the process, but it's the community that does the giving, said Phil Urbina, president of the bureau.
“It's a community effort as individuals, businesses, schools and other organizations adopt these less-fortunate families and give from their hearts,” he said. “We're fortunate to live in a wealthy community and it's easy to forget we have many less-fortunate families right here in our midst. Our mission is to help brighten the holidays for these people, particularly the children.”
A family can be “adopted” for about $25 a person, but Urbina said donors can spend as much money as they like. He said food and at least one gift for each adult and two for each child should be provided.
Those who adopt a family will be given instructions, the names and ages of each family member and a list of recommended items such as nonperishable food, school supplies and toiletries. The items must be purchased and delivered to the bureau's warehouse by Dec. 12.
People who want to help, but cannot adopt a family, can send monetary donations to the Carlsbad Christmas Bureau Adopt-a-Family Project, P.O. Box 1669, Carlsbad, 92018.
“We expect to have 400 to 450 families sign up. Most will be adopted by someone, or an organization that provides food and gifts to us to be given to the family,” Urbina said. “Generally, 75 to 100 families aren't adopted in this manner, so we use our cash contributions to take care of them.”
He said the all-volunteer organization always finds a way to provide for everyone who signs up for assistance.
The bureau will have collection bins throughout Carlsbad where people can drop off new clothes, toys and nonperishable food items by Dec. 11. The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce will have a collection bin at its office, 5934 Priestly Drive.
Other bin locations are listed at www.christmasbureau.org. The bureau will begin distributing everything Dec. 15.
Last year, through donations and food drives by local schools, businesses and organizations, including the chamber, Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau and many city departments, more than 400 needy families received assistance, Urbina said. He said the bureau has provided food and gifts for more than 14,000 Carlsbad families since 1970.
Phil and his wife, Kathy, have been running the bureau's Adopt-a-Family Project for 12 years. Since moving to Carlsbad in 1978, the Urbina's have donated their time to several causes and organizations, which is why the couple was given the Community Leadership Award last March at the chamber's Annual Board Installation and Business Awards Dinner.
To adopt a needy Carlsbad family through the Christmas Bureau, call (760) 599-7567 or go to
www.christmasbureau.org.
Want to help those in need during the holiday season?
The following are additional charitable opportunities:
• The Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad needs more than 250 holiday gifts for children in its program. For more information, call Kelly Morrison-Pop at (760) 729-0956, ext. 306.
• The annual Red Nose Run will take place Dec. 21. The 5K walk/run benefits Fresh Start Surgical Gifts. For more information, call Megan Aubrey at (760) 448-2018.
• The North County Humane Society & SPCA is hosting Santa Paws and Claws Dec. 2 and a Macho Dog Contest Dec. 15. For more information, call Lindsay Hood at (760) 757-4357, ext. 1211.
• Join Hands Save a Life will host its 16th annual dinner and live auction Dec. 8. For more information, call Frank Sorino at (760) 720-0540.
• Operation Homefront is looking for people to gadopth military families for the holidays. For more information, call (866) 424-5210 or visit www.operationhomefront.net/sandiego.
The nonprofit organization is able to provide gifts and food items for Carlsbad families each year through its Adopt-a-Family Project. The Christmas Bureau facilitates the process, but it's the community that does the giving, said Phil Urbina, president of the bureau.
“It's a community effort as individuals, businesses, schools and other organizations adopt these less-fortunate families and give from their hearts,” he said. “We're fortunate to live in a wealthy community and it's easy to forget we have many less-fortunate families right here in our midst. Our mission is to help brighten the holidays for these people, particularly the children.”
A family can be “adopted” for about $25 a person, but Urbina said donors can spend as much money as they like. He said food and at least one gift for each adult and two for each child should be provided.
Those who adopt a family will be given instructions, the names and ages of each family member and a list of recommended items such as nonperishable food, school supplies and toiletries. The items must be purchased and delivered to the bureau's warehouse by Dec. 12.
People who want to help, but cannot adopt a family, can send monetary donations to the Carlsbad Christmas Bureau Adopt-a-Family Project, P.O. Box 1669, Carlsbad, 92018.
“We expect to have 400 to 450 families sign up. Most will be adopted by someone, or an organization that provides food and gifts to us to be given to the family,” Urbina said. “Generally, 75 to 100 families aren't adopted in this manner, so we use our cash contributions to take care of them.”
He said the all-volunteer organization always finds a way to provide for everyone who signs up for assistance.
The bureau will have collection bins throughout Carlsbad where people can drop off new clothes, toys and nonperishable food items by Dec. 11. The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce will have a collection bin at its office, 5934 Priestly Drive.
Other bin locations are listed at www.christmasbureau.org. The bureau will begin distributing everything Dec. 15.
Last year, through donations and food drives by local schools, businesses and organizations, including the chamber, Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau and many city departments, more than 400 needy families received assistance, Urbina said. He said the bureau has provided food and gifts for more than 14,000 Carlsbad families since 1970.
Phil and his wife, Kathy, have been running the bureau's Adopt-a-Family Project for 12 years. Since moving to Carlsbad in 1978, the Urbina's have donated their time to several causes and organizations, which is why the couple was given the Community Leadership Award last March at the chamber's Annual Board Installation and Business Awards Dinner.
To adopt a needy Carlsbad family through the Christmas Bureau, call (760) 599-7567 or go to
www.christmasbureau.org.
Want to help those in need during the holiday season?
The following are additional charitable opportunities:
• The Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad needs more than 250 holiday gifts for children in its program. For more information, call Kelly Morrison-Pop at (760) 729-0956, ext. 306.
• The annual Red Nose Run will take place Dec. 21. The 5K walk/run benefits Fresh Start Surgical Gifts. For more information, call Megan Aubrey at (760) 448-2018.
• The North County Humane Society & SPCA is hosting Santa Paws and Claws Dec. 2 and a Macho Dog Contest Dec. 15. For more information, call Lindsay Hood at (760) 757-4357, ext. 1211.
• Join Hands Save a Life will host its 16th annual dinner and live auction Dec. 8. For more information, call Frank Sorino at (760) 720-0540.
• Operation Homefront is looking for people to gadopth military families for the holidays. For more information, call (866) 424-5210 or visit www.operationhomefront.net/sandiego.