Southern Wisconsin nonprofit short on sponsors for holiday wish list program

 A nonprofit in southern Wisconsin is helping fulfill the holiday wishes of families in need.

And, with more than 80 percent of its goal left to go, the group is seeking donations.

Family Services of Southern Wisconsin provides resources in Green and Rock counties including substance abuse and trauma counseling. 

It also helps with transitional housing and oversees a domestic violence shelter.

Each year, its clients can sign up for a holiday wish list. The group’s volunteer and outreach coordinator Paige Allen said items on those lists range from cleaning supplies to toys to gift cards.

“They run anywhere from like the latest Nike sweater, just so they look like everybody else in their classroom, and they have that sense of sense of belonging,” she said.

As of this week, the group has sponsors for about 20 families. But it’s aiming to sponsor nearly 130 families total, representing more than 340 individuals.

“Most of the clients we work with are under the poverty line, and this actually is their only holiday,” Allen said. “It is the only place that they’re sourcing gifts for their children, for themselves.”

Sponsors have until Dec. 16 to sign up to help fulfill a wish list. People interested in sponsoring a family or an individual can contact tjohnson@familyservices1.org. For monetary contributions or gift card donations, contact pallen@familyservices1.org.

In a news release this week, Family Services of Southern Wisconsin acknowledged the group still has a long way to go to meet its holiday project goal.

“Despite our outreach efforts, we have received fewer contributions than in previous years,” the release said. “This shortfall threatens our ability to fulfill the holiday wishes of the families we serve. Without immediate support, we may be unable to provide the necessary gifts and essentials, leaving many without the warmth and joy that define this season.”

Allen said the cause of this year’s donation gap is not entirely clear. She says it may be because the initiative launched later than normal because of staff transitions. She also said the program’s format has changed to be less informal.

“I know there’s a bunch of different things that contribute into this,” Allen said. “It was an election year, (so) there’s a lot of uncertainty moving forward whichever way you fall. But, you know, I wish I had an answer to why there’s a shortfall for us specifically.”

Other adopt-a-family programs

Family Services of Southern Wisconsin is just one of many Santa-like programs across the state, allowing people to fulfill holiday wish lists.

While some of those programs are already full ahead of Christmas, others are still accepting donations.

• The Road Home Dane County is seeking sponsors to support families in programs for people experiencing homelessness.
• The Penfield Children’s Center in Milwaukee is seeking sponsors for its program.
• The Sharing Center in Trevor is asking for holiday meals, gifts and monetary donations for its Christmas gift program.
• Multiple branches of the Salvation Army, including in Green Bay, are accepting donations for adopt-a-family Christmas programs.
• Families listed through the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh have already been adopted up for 2024. But prospective donors can join an adopt-a-family waitlist or sign up to be contacted ahead of 2025’s program.