Christmas Bureau Update

We wanted to take a minute and provide an update on what we are doing for the 3 families we adopted from the Christmas Bureau.  We raised $605, and it is because of that generosity that we have been able to do so much for these 3 families (total of 16 lives we are touching).  We spent $122.35 at Toys R Us on toys for 9 of the 11 kids.  We spent $337.71 on clothes for each of the 11 kids, gift cards for 2 of the 11 kids, and gifts for the 5 adults.  We spent $82.99 at Hyvee to buy holiday meals for each family: 1/2 a Ham, potatoes, veggies, rolls, and pie.  We area also giving each family a $20 gift card to Dillons to meet any other needs they might have (e.g., food, diapers, soap, paper goods, etc).  Who knew $605 could do so much?

We will be making deliveries on Tuesday and Wednesday to the families.  I only wish we could do more for not only these families, but for all those in need this holiday season.  Thank you to everyone who donated money to help us help more in our community.

Christmas Bureau Adoption: Update 1

This morning I received TransformTopeka’s official letter from the United Way, notifying us which families were selected for us to adopt this holiday season. Thanks to the $605 that we were able to raise, we’re going to be able to help three families have a merry Christmas!

  • A single mother with three boys, ages 3 – 11.
  • A couple with four children (two girls and two boys), ages 0 – 12.
  • A couple with four children (three boys and a girl), ages 1 – 13.

Our next step will be to contact each family, letting them know that they’ve been adopted and then confirming their wish lists. Then we’ll need to organize a group shopping trip and gift-wrapping session, so we can get everything delivered to our families before Christmas arrives.

Helping Those in Need this Holiday Season

For the second year, TransformTopeka will be adopting families for Christmas from the United Way’s Christmas Bureau, and we’d like your help! With all of the hustle and bustle this time of year, we understand that it’s difficult to get all of your own Christmas shopping taken care of – let alone coordinating and purchasing items to donate to another family. We’re here to make it as easy as possible for you to make a difference in the lives of your fellow Topekans this holiday season!

As a group, TransformTopeka will collect money from anyone that’s interested in helping, contact the adopted families to get confirm their wish list, go shopping, do the wrapping and coordinate delivery of all presents and meals in time for everyone to have a Merry Christmas. And, to be as transparent as possible, we’ll blog and Facebook our progress all along the way.

So how can you help? Make a donation to our PayPal account by clicking the link below. When you get to the page to review your payment, add “Christmas Bureau” in the area for special instructions for the seller. You can also mail a check to: TransformTopeka, 1324 SE Monroe, Topeka, KS 66612 or hand it to any one of our board members. We’ll accept funds up through Tuesday, December 1, before determining how many families we’re be able to help.

Want to check our progress? Visit our website frequently as we’ll be updating our collection total on a regular basis.