Adopt a Family for Christmas through Family Support Network

As the holiday season approaches, most of us anticipate the joy of being with family and friends, gift-giving and a renewed sense of hope and peace. We invite you to help us spread joy and hope this season to some of those in our community who struggle to meet their basic needs. By “adopting” one of our Family Support Network families, you can do just that.

Family Support Network assists over 200 families in the Billings area who are at risk for abuse and neglect. We recognize the importance of parents in the lives of their children, and by working with our Family Support Specialists, parents whose children are in foster care gain needed skills to help them be reunited as a family. FSN specialists provide home visits, transportation, referrals and education in budgeting, nutrition and parenting. These services help families remain safe, healthy, independent and most importantly together.

Our Adopt-a-Family for Christmas program operates anonymously through our Family Support Specialists. Parents work with them to write a “wish list” for a toy and a clothing item for each child, and their Specialist adds something for the parents as well. If you agree to sponsor a family, we will send you a wish list---you can choose the size of the family---and you provide the gifts: one toy and clothing item for each child, one gift for each parent. Then our Family Support Specialists will deliver the gifts the week before Christmas. For most of our families, these may be the only gifts they receive during the holiday season.

Many families and groups in the Billings area have made shopping for an adopted FSN family a cherished holiday tradition. We hope you’ll join us this year and make it one of yours as well. Please call us at 256-7783, and we will send you a family’s “wish list”. No time to shop? No problem! Just send us your cash donation and we will do the rest for you. Your cash donation will help provide gifts for FSN families at Christmas or for other special celebrations throughout the year.

Thank you for partnering with Family Support Network to help families, including yours, make special memories this holiday season. May you be blessed with a renewed sense of peace and hope.

--Ashley Fagerstrom Undes

Community Development Director, Family Support Network