CCS Seeks First-Time Families for Christmas Program

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.


Christmas is less than two months away, but Combined Community Services is gearing up for its Adopt-A-Family program now to help as many families as possible.

Families who have never used the program before may sign up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 7 at CCS, 1195 Mariners Drive, Warsaw.

Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, CCS director of client assistance, said those wanting to receive help this holiday season should bring proof of residency in Kosciusko County, such as a utility bill in their name with their address on it.

For Christmas 2011, she said they had 473 families – more than 2,000 people – who sought help.

Lisenbee-Wright said if a person lives in Syracuse, they should go to the Syracuse Food Pantry for assistance.

“Adopt-A-Family is a chance for the whole community to come together and show Christ’s love,” she said.

CCS also will need people to adopt the families who sign up. Adopters – who can be individuals, families, youth groups, businesses or community organizations ­– can choose the family they want to help for Christmas.

Anyone who adopts a family is asked to provide them a meal, which can be food goods or a gift card. Adoptee families can note on their applications a need for coats, pajamas, clothes or toys, Lisenbee-Wright said.

“I think our community does very well at stopping duplications and really helping people,” she said. “We have accountability.”

Also on Nov. 7, Project Independence will have a table set up at CCS to provide people with more information about the program.

Tammy Smith, CCS director of self-sufficiency programs, said Project Independence has openings for clients.

“It’s a long-term self-sufficiency program for people who want to continue their education or who are already in vocational training,” Smith said.

She said the program provides case management, some financial assistance for transportation and other help to clients.

Clients must live in Kosciusko County, have a child in the home and be18 years old or older. There are also income eligibility guidelines, Smith said.

“We urge people who are furthering their education to come with that in mind,” Lisenbee-Wright said.

For more information on the Adopt-A-Family program, call Lisenbee-Wright at 574-269-6019, Ext. 222.[[In-content Ad]]

Christmas is less than two months away, but Combined Community Services is gearing up for its Adopt-A-Family program now to help as many families as possible.

Families who have never used the program before may sign up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 7 at CCS, 1195 Mariners Drive, Warsaw.

Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, CCS director of client assistance, said those wanting to receive help this holiday season should bring proof of residency in Kosciusko County, such as a utility bill in their name with their address on it.

For Christmas 2011, she said they had 473 families – more than 2,000 people – who sought help.

Lisenbee-Wright said if a person lives in Syracuse, they should go to the Syracuse Food Pantry for assistance.

“Adopt-A-Family is a chance for the whole community to come together and show Christ’s love,” she said.

CCS also will need people to adopt the families who sign up. Adopters – who can be individuals, families, youth groups, businesses or community organizations ­– can choose the family they want to help for Christmas.

Anyone who adopts a family is asked to provide them a meal, which can be food goods or a gift card. Adoptee families can note on their applications a need for coats, pajamas, clothes or toys, Lisenbee-Wright said.

“I think our community does very well at stopping duplications and really helping people,” she said. “We have accountability.”

Also on Nov. 7, Project Independence will have a table set up at CCS to provide people with more information about the program.

Tammy Smith, CCS director of self-sufficiency programs, said Project Independence has openings for clients.

“It’s a long-term self-sufficiency program for people who want to continue their education or who are already in vocational training,” Smith said.

She said the program provides case management, some financial assistance for transportation and other help to clients.

Clients must live in Kosciusko County, have a child in the home and be18 years old or older. There are also income eligibility guidelines, Smith said.

“We urge people who are furthering their education to come with that in mind,” Lisenbee-Wright said.

For more information on the Adopt-A-Family program, call Lisenbee-Wright at 574-269-6019, Ext. 222.[[In-content Ad]]
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