New Lenox To Brighten Holidays For Those In Need With 'Adopt-A-Family'

NEW LENOX, IL — The Village of New Lenox has kicked off its own holiday charity effort, seeking to pair generous community members with others in need of a boost this Christmas.

The Village's Adopt-A-Family program matches local community members with families who live in New Lenox who lack the resources to purchase gifts and other necessities during the holiday season.

The program invites residents to sponsor local families, then gifting them with items from a wish-list.

"For many families, these gifts are the only ones they will receive," the Village said in the description.

Sponsor families can be from any community; recipient families must be from New Lenox (incorporated or unincorporated). Sponsors can be individuals, a single family, multiple families, a group and/or businesses. Once paired with a recipient family, the Village will send out family wish-lists to sponsors the week of November 18. Wish-lists will have gift ideas for each member of the assigned family. All gifts should be purchased new, unless the family is willing to accept gently used items.

"Every member of our staff is community-minded," Mayor Tim Baldermann said. "In this case, my administrative assistant Megan Applegate saw a similar program somewhere else and wanted to replicate it here. She’s a very caring person and is responsible for putting this program in place."

Sponsors are provided with the first name of each family member, their age, and individual wishlist. Sponsors are asked to spend $100 per family member. More details are available on the Village's website.

"This ensures that families receive quality gifts and that the value is distributed as evenly as possible between all adopted families," the Village said.

The Village is currently accepting applications for both sponsors and recipient families. To apply to sponsor a family this holiday season, those interested should print out and return the sponsorship form, or submit the online form no later than Nov. 8.

Families in need of assistance should email mapplegate@newlenox.net for an application. Applications are due back to the Village by Nov. 8.