Adopt-A-Family Spreads Holiday Cheer

University staff, students and faculty give gifts to families in need.

December 2, 2015

Adopt-A-Family Spreads Holiday Cheer

Donated gifts fill a drop off room in the Marvin Center during the Adopt-a-Family holiday event. (Courtesy photo)

More than 170 individuals and groups of staff, faculty and students at the George Washington University participated this year in Adopt-a-Family, the university's signature holiday gift-giving event. The program matches families in need with those willing to donate. Nearly 75 individuals and 100 groups, such as student organizations and academic and administrative departments, provide clothing, household needs and recreational or educational presents to adults and children in the Washington, D.C., area. This year, 475 people in nearly 200 families received a total of 1,425 gifts.

"Adopt-a-Family really taps into the seasonal spirit of generosity in the GW community," said Amy Cohen, executive director of the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service, which organizes the program. "It's an opportunity for people to express their caring and support for their neighbors in the D.C. community. And we really want to thank everyone who gave, in particular the staff—they're always so generous every year."

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Chris Dietrich, Tessie Crystal, Skylar Wynn from the George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development pose in the gift drop-off area. (Courtesy photo)