28 | DECEMBER 26 • 2024 
J
N

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his holiday season, a record-setting 924 peo-
ple served by Jewish Family Service of Metro 
Detroit received gifts through the long-run-
ning Adopt a Family program.
Adopt a Family spreads Chanukah joy and 
Christmas cheer to Jewish and non-Jewish commu-
nity members who utilize support from the nonprofit 
social services organization.
This year, 216 donors and groups committed to 
purchasing gifts and fulfilling wish lists, while anoth-
er 93 people donated money to help supplement gifts 
for additional families or individuals in need.
Adopt a Family is open to anyone currently served 
by JFS. Staff work with these individuals to come 
up with a wish list of holiday items that range from 
needs to wants. Wish lists are then given to donors 
registered with the program who shop for and gift 
wrap these items.
Donors don’t know who they’re shopping for. The 
recipient could be a single mother with three kids, an 
elderly community member or a family that recently 
started a new life in Metro Detroit.
“It’s a very high-touch program,
” says JFS chief 
development officer Amy Newman. “We pride our-
selves on the fact that when a donor says they want to 
shop for a family, we then contact the donor and say, 
‘Who are you looking to adopt and how much are 
you willing to spend?’”
Based on these conversations with donors, JFS 
goes through wish lists to connect them with the 

appropriate families or individuals that match their 
interests.
“It’s very carefully curated,
” Newman says. “You 
don’t go on a website and have something to pick 
from. It’s very personal.
”
Monetary donations also help support last-minute 
requests or if something comes up and donors aren’t 
able to purchase gifts. This helps ensure no one is left 
behind without a gift.
For the first time, JFS also created an Amazon wish 
list for families that weren’t adopted so anyone could 
step in to purchase the individual items, which were 
then mailed directly to JFS.
Requests run the gamut. Some people ask for 
clothing, while those with kids may wish for Barbies 
or toy trucks. JFS also partnered with Toyology Toys 
for a 20% discount on any purchases for the Adopt a 
Family program.
Many recipients asked for essential items such as 
toilet paper, paper towels, infant diapers and cleaning 
supplies in addition to gifts..
“We are so grateful to our generous donors who 
make this program possible,
” Newman says. “The 
attention to detail they put into fulfilling the wish lists 
means so much to the recipients.
”
Of course, gifts are also wrapped so everyone can 
experience the joy of unwrapping a present. Once 
collection is complete, recipients are able to head to 
JFS to pick up their gifts via curbside.
This year’s record-setting numbers mark a more 

than 100 person increase from 2023’s Adopt a Family 
program, which saw some 800 people sign up for 
holiday gifts.
“This is a huge jump to be at 924,
” Newman says of 
supporting a community with increasing needs. “It’s 
really special to walk into the building and see this 
huge room filled with gifts.
” 

Rachel Peres and 
Lindsay Leder 
spread holiday joy.

Rachel Peres, Kara 
Lee, and Emily Croitori 
amidst the gifts.

924 individuals served by the nonprofit organization 
received holiday gifts.

JFS Adopt a Family 
Sees Record Numbers

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY

The Adopt a Family program offers donors 
a unique opportunity to connect with those 
served by Jewish Family Service in a way 
that personalizes their giving. The generosity 
of donors is evident in the thoughtfully 
wrapped and abundant gifts they provide to 
those served by JFS. However, the needs 
are not just in December; they are ongoing. 
If you want to help fulfill needs of those in 
our community year-round, visit jfsdetroit.org 
to see how you can get involved or make a 
difference. 

