Make the 2025 holiday season unforgettable for local children and families
Directions for Living’s Adopt a Family holiday gift program is an exciting way to bring some holiday magic to local kids! This program identifies children and families we serve who could use some help granting their holiday wishes. It helps families who have survived domestic violence and other traumas, those working to overcome mental health or substance use challenges, and those experiencing homelessness who are worried their little ones may go without gifts this year.
This year, you have an opportunity to partner with Directions for Living to provide a happy holiday for children and families and we can’t thank you enough for your support in fulfilling holiday wishes to those in need of some extra love this year.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF GIVING
What sets this program apart from other holiday drives
We make every wish personal.
We take the time to quietly learn what each child truly hopes for — not just what someone might assume they’d like. Instead of guessing that a six-year-old boy wants Legos, we find out that this six-year-old has been dreaming of a specific blue stuffed dinosaur. It’s about making sure every child feels seen and experiences that “how did Santa know?!” kind of magic.
We honor parents with dignity and care.
Gifts are delivered unwrapped so parents can see, wrap, and give them as their own – keeping the spirit of Santa alive and the joy of giving right where it belongs. It’s about helping families create moments of magic and normalcy, and these sweet kids feeling seen and cherished after a tough year.
We think through every detail.
From wrapping paper and tape to batteries for toys and helmets for scooters, we make sure nothing is missing. Parents can focus on the joy, and kids can simply experience the wonder of the holidays.
HOW IT WORKS
Each child or family hoping to be adopted this holiday season are listed below. Wish lists can be downloaded straight from this page. Please use the button below to officially “adopt” your family before you start shopping.
Each wish list shares some basic information about the child/family, including suggested gift ideas. To make it easier for our Elves, some gift ideas will include a link to the wish list item.
Donors can be a single person or a group of people. There are no spending requirements and the wish lists are simply a guide to help you pick just the right gift for that child or family. Please do not feel obligated to buy every item on the wish list; however, when choosing to adopt a family with multiple members, please purchase at least one item for each person in the family. All gifts must be new and unwrapped.
DELIVERING GIFTS
In order to be distributed in time for the holidays, all gifts must be delivered to the Directions for Living Clearwater Center (1437 South Belcher Road) during one of the following time periods:
- Monday, December 8th from 3pm – 7pm
- Tuesday, December 9th from 8am – 1pm
Gifts must be new and unwrapped. When dropping off your gifts, please separate them into individual boxes/bags for each child and label each child’s items with their name and wish list number. More detailed information about gift drop-off will be sent to our Elves via email before the delivery dates. Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions.
ADOPT A FAMILY
Please look through the wish lists below and choose which family or families you would like to adopt. Wish lists that are grayed out have already been chosen by a donor and are currently being fulfilled. Click the button below to officially adopt your family!
Adopt a Family Partners
