American Heritage hosted its Annual Adopt-A-Family program this holiday season, and through the combined effort of their Board of Directors, staff and membership, raised over $26,000 for the program.

Each year, American Heritage adopts several families in their membership area. This year, the Adopt-A-Family Committee received “wish lists” from twenty families among the Norristown Salvation Army, Northeast Family YMCA, CADCOM, Thea Bowman Women’s Shelter in Philadelphia, Carson’s Valley and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Philadelphia. Their lists included books, dolls, bikes, board games, scooters, and much more. In addition to the toys, the families’ wish lists also included necessities such as coats, boots, pajamas, scarves, hats, and gloves. American Heritage’s Board of Directors also generously donated a $400 ShopRite gift card to each family.

The Adopt-A-Family committee also adopted thirty children from Ridge Crest Pediatric Services in Sellersville, PA, which is a non-profit home for children with severe to profound intellectual disabilities. These children were provided with much needed items such as health care supplies, neck pillows and toiletries.

American Heritage also made donations to Catholic Community Services, Missionary Sisters of Charity, and Wordsworth Academy. 

“During the past 30 years, the Adopt-A-Family Program has raised over $254,000,” states Flora Caranci, American Heritage’s Senior Vice President of Human Resources. “The holiday season can be incredibly stressful for families in our community and the Adopt-A-Family program was created with intentions of eliminating that anxiety by fulfilling the wish lists of deserving families. This program could not be possible without the support of American Heritage’s membership and the hard work, dedication, and year-round support from our staff.”