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Adopt-a-Family
Each year prior to the holiday season, the Timonium Optimists adopt two local needy families identified by the Baltimore County Dept. of Social Services. We are given a description of each family, including ages of children, clothing sizes and their wish list. Members are generous in donating wrapped gifts, food and money for the families.
Thanksgiving 2007
This year for the first time, the club provided for the families at Thanksgiving as well as at Christmas. A few days before the holiday, the co-chairmen Karl Parks and Ken Bollinger delivered food baskets with the makings for a Thanksgiving dinner—complete with turkey and stuffing. The baskets also held an ample supply of food staples. The chance to visit the homes before Christmas allowed the club representatives to learn more about each family’s needs.
Christmas 2007
Family #1 was a single mom with a 12-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl. Family #2 was a grandmother raising two granddaughters, aged 7 and 6. The club collected presents for each of the children and filled more food baskets. Monetary contributions plus extra money from the club’s Christmas party went toward the purchase of gift certificates at local stores. On Dec. 23, 2007, Project Co-Chairman Karl Parks and Club President Joanne Paull played Santa in delivering the Christmas packages.
Notable among the presents was a special, wrapped package for the grandmother of family #2 and a birthday present for the 12-year-old boy of family #1, whose birthday fell on Dec. 31. This young boy was also surprised with a brand-new dirt bike for Christmas, generously donated by the adult son of a club member.
