Morinville adopt a family continues to grow through community generosity

By Shelley Winger
The Morinville Adopt A Family Foundation has become one of the region’s most trusted and
heartfelt community initiatives, but its beginnings were far more modest. In 2012, two
members of the Morinville Marvelous Moms group set out to quietly help two local families
who were struggling during the Christmas season. What they didn’t expect was the
response that followed. Word spread quickly within the group, donations poured in, and by
the time the holidays arrived, 13 families had been fully supported. That early surge of
generosity set the tone for what would grow into a major annual campaign.
More than a decade later, the foundation is still entirely run by volunteers, yet it now serves
between 80 and 90 families every year. Its reach has expanded well beyond Morinville,
supporting households across Legal, Bon Accord, Gibbons, Redwater and the wider
Sturgeon County area. Despite the growth, the heart of the program has stayed the same:
community members helping their neighbours with dignity, compassion and respect.
The mission of Adopt A Family is to ensure no local family is left without the essentials and
comforts that make the holiday season special. Volunteers work closely with each family to
understand their circumstances and tailor the support to their needs. Hampers typically
include a turkey or ham, non-perishable food to last one or two weeks, and grocery gift
cards that allow families to choose the fresh items they prefer. Gifts are selected and
wrapped for children and teens, but the program also makes sure parents receive
something of their own. Toiletries, household basics and cleaning products are included,
and even family pets are considered when possible. Organizers say the goal is to remove as
much stress as they can for people who are already carrying more than their share.
For families needing assistance, the process has become more streamlined through a
partnership with Morinville FCSS. Residents can now apply for holiday relief through FCSS,
who will then work with Adopt A Family and the Midstream Santa Store to determine which
program is the best match. Once the assessment is complete, families receive details about
the pick-up of their hampers or gifts. Applications for this year’s program are now open and
can be downloaded from the FCSS “Contact Us” page. Completed forms can be submitted by
email to FCSS@morinville.ca.

Organizers say the campaign has supported more than 2,000 individuals over the past
decade, and its continued success relies entirely on the strength of the community behind it.
Residents can get involved in many ways, whether by hosting a donation collection box,
contributing gifts or gift cards, offering monetary support, running a fundraiser or
volunteering to help with hamper delivery. One of the most meaningful ways to get involved
remains adopting a family, where donors are matched directly with a household and given
guidance on how to meet their needs.
Volunteers describe the program as “love in action,” a simple phrase that has come to
represent the spirit of the community. Each year, the generosity shown by residents

reminds struggling families that they are not alone, that their neighbours care, and that the
holidays can still hold warmth even during difficult times.
For those wishing to support or learn more, inquiries about adopting a family can be sent to
morinvilleAFF@gmail.com.