The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“It is never easy to ask for help, but know that we are a special community”
by Crystal Kotowski
Since the Crested Butte News’ last story about the Adopt a Family program on November 30, the program has expanded significantly. Through Adopt a Family, run by Crested Butte’s Oh Be Joyful Church, families who can use assistance at Christmas are “adopted” by local families and businesses.
An additional 29 families and businesses have signed up to adopt a family, and the continued support has allowed the Adopt a Family program to extend into Gunnison. To date, 30 families have been adopted across the valley. Several new businesses have come on board, including Le Bosquet, Electrical Logic, The Secret Stash, Crested Butte Towing, Crested Butte Santa Ski, Red Lady Realty, and “a dear lady whose hand-sewn teddy bears gave several teddy bears for the toddlers,” according to program facilitator Rosalind Cook. The adoptive families or companies provide wrapped Christmas gifts (needs and wants) for families who can benefit from this assistance.
“The amazing thing is that most are strangers to each other, but they become bonded by love and caring. Many of those who want to help have also bought gift cards, which go beyond Christmas for essentials as gas and food. I am getting referrals from professionals in Gunnison who get permission and verify the needs of the families they refer. I hope to be finished ‘matching’ every family with an adopted family by the end of this week,” said Cook.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) has been involved with Adopt a Family since 2010, and has also been involved with a similar program at Okemo and Mount Sunapee. “Being a family-owned company we also value families, which to us is also what the holidays are all about… There is nothing more gratifying than knowing that you have helped make a family’s Christmas. Oftentimes, we have received thank you letters and it is amazing to hear from the family. They are always grateful,” said CBMR vice president Erica Mueller.
Mueller continued, “We are a small community and we have a lot of people who may be down on their luck or a single parent who works multiple jobs to make ends meet. It is the least we can do come together as a company, because every dollar counts. And for those being adopted, it is never easy to ask for help, but know that we are a special community here in the Gunnison Valley. There are a lot of gracious people who want to help, in whatever way they can.”
For families seeking assistance with essential needs or wants, the loose deadline to reach out to Cook is this Friday, December 16. “I can tell you that when the adopted family sends me their list of needs and wants there is always such gratitude expressed. I can honestly say that this is the most fulfilling and significant thing I have ever done. A huge thank you to everyone who has reached out to walk alongside of these precious families,” said Cook.
To become involved with the program, contact Rosalind Cook or Oh Be Joyful at [email protected] or call (918) 645-2109.
