“Our goal is to help as many individuals and families as possible here in Bellville,”said volunteer Ginnie Baker.
Approximately ten years ago the Adopt-a-Family program was started by the Bellville Patrolman’s Association with the goal to provide assistance to individuals and families in need at Christmas. Through the combined efforts of the patrolman’s association, local businesses and community volunteers, families are “adopted” and provided gifts for Christmas. Even food is provided, if necessary, for the family’s holiday meal.
According to Bellville Chief of Police Ron Willey, the officer that initially sparked the idea for the program was Officer Dave Renner.
“He [Renner] came to me with this idea to help families because as an officer he saw a lot of families that struggled, especially at Christmas. He and I talked about how we could figure out a way to help. It started small, helping just a few families in the beginning. It has really grown into something,” said Willey.
Willey said the program was able to grow largely due to the tremendous amount of support by the community and local businesses that get involved.
“We really try to involve the support of local businesses as much as possible. It all stays in the community,”stated Willey.
According to Willey the Bellvile Neighborhood Outreach Center (BNOC) will help with food if needed to make sure the families have a holiday dinner. And Stoodt’s Market has been know to provide gift certificates as well.
”People here in the valley are really good about giving and helping those in need. It’s all local, local people helping one another, that’s why it’s so successful,” added Willey.
Chief Willey said that although donations and needs fluctuate year to year, the families that are referred always get taken care of. In situations where there is a surplus of donated gifts, financial donations are put into a fund and get distributed throughout the year to families or individuals in need due to emergency situations such as fire, illness, job loss or other circumstances.
The Adopt-a-Family program begins with applications families can pick up at the Bellville Police interested can fill one Department to fill out or families can be recommended by people who are concerned for a family.
For anyone interested in “adopting a family,” referrals may be obtained by contacting the Bellville Police Department. The “adopted” family can provide details for children’s ages and gift requests. The deadline for referrals is December 13.
According to Baker, families and individuals in need continue to rise each year and donations vary as well as volunteer participation.
“We really try to help everyone who fills out a form or is referred by the Bellville Police Department,” said Baker.
The average persons or families helped each year vary from individuals to single parents to two-parent families with several children. As the program continues to grow each year the need for donations including financial and the need for volunteers is ever present.
Volunteers shop, wrap gifts, organize, and coordinate deliveries. “They [volunteers] are all invaluable, everyone who helps is needed and important to the program,” said Baker.
Once all of the gifts and donations are collected and organized by the volunteers they are delivered by Willey, Baker, and department officers. Willey estimates that hundreds of families and individuals have been helped since the inception of the program.
Willey looks forward to the continued growth of the program and is looking into ways to develop a program or method in which they would be able to reach out to the elderly and make sure their needs are being met, as well, not just at the holidays but year round.
For those interested in adopting a family or referring a family or individual you may feel is in need he urges those to contact the Bellville Police Department at 419-886-2814.
”People here in the valley are really good about giving and helping those in need. It’s all local, local people helping one another, that’s why it’s so successful,” said Chief Ron Willey.
