Photo Courtesy Odyssey House

By Tanner Smith

Community

Odyssey House’s Adopt A Family holiday program returns

Oct 11, 2023 | 1:32 PM

Odyssey House’s Adopt-A-Family Christmas Giving Program has returned for a sixth year.

It started in 2018 and aims to give single-parent/guardian homes dealing with financial restraints a good holiday experience, with “a festive meal, and some gifts under the tree.”

Odyssey House discussed last year’s success in a release, saying they supplied over $40,000 worth of presents to 76 families across Grande Prairie. Those families included 154 kids.

The shelter says that this year, it would like to build on that success, asking individuals and organizations to sponsor a family and make donations of gifts and grocery store gift cards.

Odyssey House provided research on the average price, of gift and grocery cards for families, over the holiday season:

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Average for gifts per child: $75 – $150

Average gifts for caregiver: $150

Anyone who becomes a sponsor will receive information about the family, including hobbies, clothing sizes, gender, and age. Odyssey House does require all gifts to be newly purchased.

Odyssey House also says in the release that they kindly request sponsors buy gifts for not only the children, but the caregivers as well.

If you or your organization is interested in “Adopting A Family” this holiday season, contact Odyssey House by emailing reception@odysseyhouse.ca or call 780-538-1332 ext. 101.

For anyone planning on sponsoring a family; caregivers do enjoy wrapping their children’s gifts, so Odyssey House asks to provide the wrapping supplies and leave the gifts unwrapped. However, sponsors are invited to wrap the caregiver’s present.

All items must be labeled, including the grocery gift card, and delivered to the Odyssey House by December 15. If you are unable to deliver, contact Odyssey House to schedule a pick-up.

For more information about the Adopt A Family Christmas Giving Program, or Odyssey House, click here.