For the past 13 years, the Nebraska Medicine Social Work Department has coordinated the Holiday Adopt a Family Program. Last year, 86 departments helped spread holiday joy to 140 patients and their families.
Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the community and health care system, the program is again being modified to meet the most need while respecting social distancing and visitor policy guidelines. Once again this year, the program will offer a gift card-only option. This will allow patients/families to purchase gifts of their choice for their children as well as ensure ease in distributing the holiday cheer.
The following parameters will identify the size of family a department is able to assist this year:
- Family of one = $50 gift card
- Family of two = $100 gift card
- Family of three = $150 gift card
- Family of four = $200 gift card
- Family of five = $250 gift card
- Family of six = $300 gift card
Departments may add funds to the listed amounts to assist patients with a holiday meal in addition to gifts. Gift cards are asked to arrive in $50 increments for ease of distributing and that departments purchase either VISA or Walmart gift cards only.
If a department is interested in donating gift cards for the holiday adopt program, please follow these steps:
- Complete this questionnaire by Tuesday, Nov. 8, to let the social work department know a department plans to participate.
- The social work department will match a department with a family in need of assistance. The department contact will be notified by email with a short description of the family.
- Deliver the gift cards to the social work office in University Tower, Room 2404, between the dates of Monday, Nov. 14, and Friday, Nov. 18, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“We know this is a change from last year,” said Rachele Sledge, manager of the Nebraska Medicine Social Work Department. “Please know your support is very appreciated, and for many this is their whole holiday celebration. We hope you will continue to support the holiday adopt program this year.”
Contact the social work office at 402-559-4420 with questions. Because the contributions are given directly to families, they are not tax deductible. If someone in a department wishes to make a tax-deductible gift, checks can be made out to University of Nebraska Foundation. Tax deductible online donations can be made here.