ORU helps families in need
Posted by Heather Reinhart on December 29, 2017
An Operation Round Up (ORU) grant awarded to the Buffalo Rotary is helping families in Buffalo and Montrose this winter. Every Christmas for more than 15 years, the Rotary organizes the Adopt-A-Family program in which children 17 and under and disabled adults in need are provided with necessities like shoes, boots, coats, hats, mittens, pajamas, socks, underwear and clothing. While the Toys for Tots program provides toys and games to children in need, the Adopt-A -Family program provides clothing necessities.
Last year, the program helped a record 160 families (419 children) from the Buffalo and Montrose communities have a better Christmas – and the number is expected to grow this season.
Through the Adopt-A-Family program, families in need sign up for assistance or are referred to the program by others. They request specific items, sizes and colors and organizers do their best to provide exactly what they need. Individuals in those communities also volunteer to “adopt” a family in need and purchase the items on these wish lists. But those in need regularly exceed the list of those willing to help, which is where the ORU grant comes in.
“Without ORU’s donation, we would not be able to fulfill the need of our community and we are incredibly grateful for the support!” said Sally Stevens, Buffalo Rotarian.
ORU recently awarded the Buffalo Rotary a grant for $5,000 with $4,000 going to the Adopt-A-Family program. The remaining $1,000 will be used to support the Students Taking Renewed Interest in the Value of Education (STRIVE) program at Buffalo High School, which is a one-to-one mentoring program focused on motivating at risk high school juniors and seniors.
