Christmas in the Neighborhood

Christmas in the Neighborhood 2011

Families today are faced with tough choices.  Do they fix the car or pay the rent?  Do they buy medicine for sick kids or groceries for the week?  Asking for help can be stressful and embarrassing. Each year PATH asks partnering agencies with long-term social caseworkers to identify a few families in their care who are struggling with significant poverty issues and are trying to gain the skills to provide a decent life for their kids.  These families are living “on the edge” of being self-sufficient.  If they get laid off work, there is no safety net.  Some partnering agencies work with elderly or disabled adult clients who will live the rest of their lives on fixed incomes that cannot meet their daily needs.

Please note that PATH’s policy asks sponsors to deliver gifts and food to their applicant family’s caseworker instead of to the family’s home.

Sponsors will receive information by the end of November about the family or individual they are sponsoring.  I will do my best to honor your family size preference, but cannot guarantee it.  The information form that you will receive in regard to the family chosen for you will include first names, clothing sizes, and a list of items requested (gift requests from parents of the children will not be included this year).

Sponsors are asked to purchase at least two toys per child or two gifts per elderly or disabled adult and provide a holiday meal or gift card to purchase food (or, combination of food and gift card) for the family.  The holiday meal and wrapped gifts should be delivered to the caseworkers between Nov. 29^th and Dec.17^th (unless prior arrangements are made).  Caseworkers have been asked to deliver those items to the families within two working days of receipt.

If you, as individuals or a group, are interested in helping PATH provide Christmas for needy children, elderly or disabled adults this year, please complete the form at the bottom of this page and mail it (keep this top portion as a reminder of dates and my contact information) to:

Becky Duncan        PATH       402 W. Front        Tyler, TX  75702

Return Sponsor Form before November 9, 2011 if possible. Initial matches will be processed and mailed the week of November 18^th, so that you can shop during the Thanksgiving Holidays.

For additional information please contact me at 903-597-40440×120 or becky_duncan@pathhelps.org.

God Bless You and Yours,

Becky Duncan

PATH Community Outreach Coordinator

CHRISTMAS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD – 2011 SPONSOR   FORM

(Requested Return Date: November 9, 2011)

Return form to:   Becky Duncan    *    PATH    *    402 W. Front    *    Tyler, TX  75702

Name (circle one):___________________________     ___________________________

Individual     or      Group                                                Congregation/Company/Organization (if any)

Contact:_____________________________ Phone #’s:___________    ___________

Address:_____________________________________________________________

Street                                                                       City                    State                               Zip

Preference (circle all that apply):      Children:  1 child 2-4  children more than 4 children

Adult – Elderly ______(how many)            Adult – Disabled ______(how many)

Additional Comments:__________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

For more information, call 903-597-4044, ext. 120, or email becky_duncan@pathhelps.org.