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CINCINNATI (Dec. 21, 2023) – The holidays will be brighter for 125 local families receiving gifts through United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Adopt-A-Family effort.

Now in its third year, Adopt-A-Family exceeded this year’s goal, which was to bring holiday joy to 100 kinship care families. In such families, children are temporarily cared for by relatives or family friends with close ties to a parent facing difficult circumstances. The arrangement allows parents to focus on their situation knowing their children are safe and well cared for.

“The success of Adopt-A-Family is a prime example of how our community demonstrates its compassionate nature,” said Moira Weir, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati. “It’s really special when volunteers step up for kinship care families, who often need additional support to create an environment where children can thrive.”

United Way’s faith-based partners played an integral role in identifying and referring the recipient families. United Way then provided personalized wish lists to generous families, individuals and groups who shopped for the items and delivered them to United Way. Faith-based groups picked up the gifts and are distributing them to families. Additional families were identified and selected through a partnership with the local AFL-CIO.

When Lori and Andy Poole of Madeira shopped for a family, they brought along their son, age 9, and daughters, ages 6 and 4. “I think it’s important for the kids to understand that we’re lucky and not everybody has what we have,” Lori said. “My son mentioned this is his favorite part of Christmas, and my daughters said, ‘Ours too!’ It was a really cool moment.”   

Adopt-A-Family is just one way United Way directly supports families in our community throughout the year. To learn more about our volunteer projects, visit uwgc.org/volunteer.

United Way of Greater Cincinnati (UWGC) fights for the economic well-being of all people in Greater Cincinnati so our entire community can thrive – now and in the future.

Founded in 1915, UWGC is one of the region’s largest nonprofit organizations. It is committed to working alongside policymakers, community partners and donors to promote educational success, financial empowerment and housing security.

Learn more about UWGC’s work across nine counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at UWGC.org. #UnitedWeThrive