Published
2 years agoon
Fifteen families from Mendota, Cantua Creek, and San Joaquin received holiday gifts this week thanks to the Alliance for Medical Outreach & Relief.
During the fourth annual Adopt-A-Family Christmas, AMOR and its community partners delivered presents made up of items from each family’s wishlist.
“AMOR is so grateful for the opportunity to bring holiday cheer to so many children and families this Christmas,” said AMOR’s executive director, Davena Witcher.
Families are “adopted” by a local company or agency after they have been identified as being in need by the Mendota Unified and Golden Plains Unified school districts.
The companies and agencies then purchase and wrap the wishlist gifts — toys, clothes, essential household items — and deliver them to the doorstep.
After witnessing Christmas gifts arrive, one 5-year-old girl couldn’t hold in her excitement. She jumped for joy, asking, “Are those for us?!”
Yes, they were.
Students at Mendota Head Start receive Christmas gifts from Fresno EOC. (AMOR)
The annual Adopt-A-Family campaign began in 2018, with five families. With the help from local groups, the number of adopted families has grown.
“Thanks to our partnerships with Mendota Unified School District, Golden Planes School District,s and the numerous companies that chose to adopt families, the holidays are joyful across west Fresno County,” said Witcher.
A West Fresno County family receives Christmas gifts at their doorstep. (AMOR)
This year’s participating family adopters were Fresno County Public Defender’s Office, Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, Granville Homes, James G. Parker Insurance, Malakan Diamond Co., and Touchstone Pistachio Co.
Related Story: AMOR Clinic Celebrates Opening with Ribbon-Cutting Event
The AMOR Wellness Center in Mendota provides essential services to create a safety net of medical, mental health, social, and youth development resources, tailored to the specific needs of Mendota residents and surrounding communities.
GV Wire publisher Darius Assemi is president/CEO of Granville Homes and a member of the AMOR board of directors.
Liz Juarez joined GV Wire in July, 2021 as a Digital News Producer. She has experience working for publications around the Central Valley including the Clovis Roundup, Porterville Recorder and Hanford Sentinel. While in college, she interned for Mountain West Athletics and served as Outreach Chair for the Fresno State Radio and Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). Liz earned a bachelor's degree in Media Communications and Journalism at Fresno State and a master's degree in Communications from Arizona State University. In her down time, she enjoys reading, drawing and staying active by playing basketball, taking trips to the coast and visiting national parks. You can contact Liz at liz.juarez@gvwire.com
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