The Quinte West Adopt a Child program is facing something it’s never encountered during the holiday season before – the possibility of not being able to fulfill all its requests.
Coordinator Lisa Triemstra says with more than 500 families registered this year, they are running out of time.
“We are done on December 16, and we’re really looking for people that can call in and adopt children. But at this point, we’ve got 250 children left on the program. We’re really starting to worry that this’ll be the first time in 32 years that we don’t make it.”
One of the reasons the need this year is so great is that they’ve extended the ages of children they support.
“We decided this year to take on the older kids, 13 to 14, because they were getting cut off at the age 12. They’re so young to not receive something for Christmas. Those ages, they really know what they’re missing and we want to try to make things a bit better.”
She says it’s been difficult because many of the older children are already wearing adult sized clothing and that is more expensive.
“It’s just indoor clothing that we’re providing – pants, tops, PJs, those types of things. And, you don’t have to take on a whole child yourself. You know, you can go in with a group of people, so many ways that you could do and it helps out, immensely.”
Volunteers are out shopping now but Triemstra anyone who wants to do it on their own is welcome to.
To adopt a child call Trenton Glass and Windows or email Lisatriemstra@gmail.com.
You can make a donation at Trenton Glass, Bay Marine, the DBIA or etransfer quintewestadoptachild@gmail.com.
Information is also available at qwadoptachild.ca.
