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UM Volunteers launch adopt-a-child program

By Diane Belanger

Posted on Monday, December 8th, 2003, 12:00 am

Ten dollars does not seem like much these days, but that’s all it takes to brighten a child’s holiday. During its fourth annual Adopt-A-Child program, Black Bear Volunteers, a student-run organization, is asking campus groups and offices to help make a wish come true by sponsoring a child this holiday season.

“The children need everything from $5 gifts to new winter coats,” said Lynette Dexter, coordinator of Black Bear Volunteers.

Black Bear Volunteers was established in 1989 and promotes “hands on” service in projects that address unmet social or environmental community needs. It is a loosely structured organization, with a staff of five part-time students, and is supervised by Mary Skaggs, director of Student Employment and Volunteer Programs. All other members are temporary volunteers.

“A student can participate in any project for any length of time,” Dexter said. “Most activities are not long term -many take place over a weekend.”

Some projects may run simultaneously, such as the current Coats for Kids and Soldiers in Iraq campaigns. Holiday caroling is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12, with four different bands performing at local nursing homes.

In past years, the Adopt-A-Child program collaborated with the Salvation Army. This year, Black Bear Volunteers wanted to ensure it served families in local communities and partnered with Crossroads Ministries of Old Town, a food pantry with a 10-year plan to stamp out area hunger.

Nearly 200 children, ranging from newborns to age 18, are participating in the 2003 Adopt-A-Child program. Sponsors for 100 children are still needed.

“We suggest the purchase of two gifts per child, averaging between $20 to $25,” Dexter said. “Cash donations of $5 and $10 are also accepted.”

For boys and girls ranging from 12 to 16 years of age, gift recommendations include Spotlight Cinemas movie tickets or Borders gift certificates. Other items needed by families are grocery gift certificates, paper towels or napkins, tea bags and packages of cocoa, or personal care products, such as shampoo, soap and deodorant.

The Adopt-A-Child program is in transition. Long-term goals are to replicate a gift giving/receiving model based on a Massachusetts model. Black Bear Volunteers plan to develop a free or inexpensive store where parents who need support providing gifts for their children during the holidays can select an appropriate gift, such as toys, hats and gloves. A master list of desired gifts will eliminate the second-guessing that results from buying for nameless children. The process should also reduce the number of disappointed children who receive an inappropriate or duplicate gift, Dexter said.

“There’s nothing harder than being a little kid and having friends ask what are you getting for Christmas,” Dexter said, “knowing you can’t ask for anything this year and maybe not next year either.”

For as little as $10, campus groups or offices can adopt a child. Unwrapped gifts and donations may be delivered to the Black Bear Volunteers’ office on the third floor of Memorial Union by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15. To arrange for package pick-ups, call 581-1349.