It's the season for giving!
Adopt a Family is HERE! One of our most popular programs year after year.
If you are a new sponsor or have done this before, please be sure to read below, as there are a few changes!
Last year, huge hearts like yours helped us bring holiday joy to over 450 farmworker families. Our 2026 Drive is officially open, and we are ready to make even more magic happen this season.
1. How It Works & Commitment
School counselors identify farmworker families in need this holiday season. Rather than sponsoring just one student, we adopt the entire household—matching sponsors with families so every child and sibling receives personalized gifts from their wish list.
Sponsors commit to purchasing 3 gifts per child with a $75 minimum spend per child (for example, adopting a family with 4 children equals a $300 total commitment).
Families collect their gifts together at a holiday party.
We strongly suggest providing one gift per category so every child at the event feels equally celebrated:
2. The 3-Gift Guide
Something they NEED: Practical items like socks, essential clothing, hygiene supplies, or school items.
Something they WANT: Fun items like toys, accessories, or special clothing.
Something for their HEALTH: Mind & body items like books, board games, puzzles, or sports gear.
Gifts for Parents
Parents do not submit individual wish lists. Instead, we ask sponsors to purchase a grocery store gift card for each parent so families can enjoy a special holiday meal together. We will provide a list of recommended local grocery stores when you are matched.
Key Dates & Delivery
• Wish List Distribution: Wednesday, November 25
• Gift Delivery Day: Friday, December 11
Delivery Instructions:
Please place all wrapped gifts inside a large holiday bag or "Santa sack" and drop them off at one of our approved partner locations in Santa Paula, Ventura, or Oxnard (exact addresses provided with your match).
FAQs
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No, as long as you purchase at least three items (one from each category: Need, Want, and Health). Students should list multiple items so the donor has options when shopping, but they should expect to receive one item per category.
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As long as you can wrap three gifts in total, that is fine! Students are collecting gifts alongside others in the program, but they will not open them until they get home. You can put multiple wrapped items into one box so that each child has three items.
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Counselors will be advising students to be extremely detailed on their wish lists, but in some cases, students will still be vague. This most likely means that the student will truly be happy with whatever they receive. If you receive a wishlist with little detail, please know that a staff member or volunteer has already sent it back for review once without receiving any additional details. When in doubt, use a gift receipt or consider gift cards for older students.
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We have seen friends, extended family, and coworkers get together to split one family. Whichever route you go, please be sure that your group can fulfill the commitment before signing up.
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Each site will have "early dates" when gifts can be dropped off and we can also be flexible if you for example get a Santa Paula family but can only deliver to Oxnard. If the program overall does not work for you, consider shopping from our Holiday Amazon list instead.
