Update 12/4: I spoke to Jamie Adkins at the A2 police department this morning, the contact for the program. Not a surprise, but she told me that this year they’ve got the largest number of families in need. They are very flexible on how you can give. If you are interested see the details below or email Jamie Adkins at jdkins@a2gov.org.
Original Post (with a few updates):
Looking for a way to give back the holiday season? Sam Webb of WTKA 1050AM had on former professional golfer Debbie Williams-Hoak, one of the founders of the Ann Arbor Adopt-a-Family Program. She started this along with the Ann Arbor Police Department, and she notes that the athletic department is heavily involved. Here’s the audio of her visit to the studio, check the audio here. It’s a great way to help a local family. More importantly, here’s the details as I gathered them (I don’t think they have a website):
- You don’t need to adopt a whole family.
- They accept straight donations and gifts.
- You can mail checks to:
Ann Arbor Police Dept
100 North Fifth Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
attn: Adopt a Family/Jamie Adkins
- If you want to donate a toy or want general information, contact Jamie Adkins at the Ann Arbor police department at 734-994-2858 or at jdkins@a2gov.org unless you’re running from the law.
- If you want to volunteer, Wednesday December 17 at 7pm at the UM Golf course off of Stadium Blvd across from the Big House, they need help wrapping gifts.
- WTKA is going to be giving highlighting 5 families next week, asking callers to donate gifts from family lists.
Great stuff for local families and kids and you can give in almost any way. MVictors is going to contribute, I hope you do too. If you help out I’d like to hear about it.
2 Comments
S. Thomas
Relief and Hope! This is what I felt when I received a phone call from former pro golfer, Debbie Williams and AAPD Dawn King, informing me that my two children were being adopted for Christmas. Initially I wanted to decline such a gift as there are so many families that probably face an even greater financial burden this season. Dawn quickly reminded me of the gift of acceptance and after talking with her for almost an hour; I humbly accepted the amazing gift of adoption of my two little ones.
As far back as I can remember, my family and I have always donated clothes, money, time, and my heart to as much as I could think of and now I find myself in a situation where I am running out of gas; if I didn’t accept this gift right here and now, my family may not have made it emotionally – through the season.
I noticed a change in my children’s behavior after I announced that we were not able to have Christmas this year which seemed to a negative effect on the kids socially. I really felt bad listening to them tell untruths to their friends about what all they were receiving as everyone discussed what gifts they were getting. I told them that I totally understood why they would choose to be dishonest but hang in there because if nothing else we have each other and that is a gift that is forever.
Thanks to Debbie and the AAPD, we also have an even larger family – the Ann Arbor Community! I am so pleased to know that there are truly still good people out here that care not just about the poor but also the working class that are trying so hard not to slip into that downward spiral. There are so many of us that are working full time jobs with benefits and still can’t fully make it even after cutting absolutely every corner possible and yes it is scary because we all seem to have so much to lose.
If any one is out there afraid to speak up about what they are going through – DO NOT be afraid, proud, embarrassed, or shamed. Life happens to all of us and the best thing we can do for ourselves and others is to NEVER judge and just take a split moment to ask “why” and “how” opposed to focusing on the “what”. Also try not to look at another person’s actions or situation and think of what you would have done if it were “YOU” instead, think of what you would do if you were “THEM”- now that is truly putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.
Thank you for your ear and your heart. My family and I are forever grateful for the help of the AAPD, Debbie Williams, AM1050, Dicken Elementary, Stadium Optical, Dr. Linda Polley and all of those who continue to donate and give to families, children, and individuals in need.
I love you all,
Skii Thomas
Greg (MVictors)
Skii, thanks for the touching note. I passed that along to Debbie and to the studio email at WTKA.