Spread Joy This Holiday Season

 Over the last few years, we were having families from our community reach out looking for holiday assistance, and we were finding that too often, they weren't meeting those programs specific criteria, so what did we do? We started our own! In 2022 DSAGT started our Adopt-a-Family Holiday Program and we were able to help 8 families during the holiday season, last year, that grew to helping 14 families! This year we hope to help even more!  Whether you need a little help this time of year or have the means to provide assistance, you can participate in making the season a little brighter for everyone. 
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 DSAGT families in our service area who are requesting assistance for the 2024 season are welcome to apply beginning November 1st. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, November 12th. Applications received after November 12th cannot be guaranteed.
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Adopt-A-Family Timeline:
  • Friday, November 1, 2024: Donor and Family Applications Open
  • Tuesday, November 12, 2024: Donor and Family Applications Close
  • Monday, November 18, 2024: Donors and Families receive Denial/Approval Notifications
  • December 2 – 7, 2024: Donor Gift Drop Off to the DSAGT Office
  • December 12 – 17, 2024: Family Gift Pick Up at the DSAGT Office


Adopt-A-Family Application for Support

Adopt-A-Family Donor Application
Applications open November 1, 2024! 

​We are happy to support you and your family this holiday season. Please note while we would love to assist all families, DSAGT cannot guarantee all applications will be approved. Please review the guidelines below before applying.

Applications received after November 12th cannot be guaranteed. You will receive an approval or denial notification on Monday, November 18th.
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Eligibility: We are currently only able to serve families in the following counties in Ohio: Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Williams, Wood, Wyandot, Van Wert. We can also serve families in the following counties in Michigan: Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe,  Washtenaw, and Wayne. 

Expectations: People with Down syndrome (all ages), all children in a family unit (17 years old and younger), and parents/guardians are eligible to be a part of the Adopt-A-Family program. Please provide a detailed wish list for all eligible family members residing in the home, including sizing for clothing and shoes (suggested range is $35-$50 per person). 

Gift Delivery Guidelines: Please be responsive in DSAGT’s attempts to contact you. Failure to respond could forfeit your opportunity to receive gifts for your family. You will have several options to pick up your gifts (December 12, 13, 14, 16, and 17). You will receive a separate link to sign up for the specific date and time you are able to pick up your gifts.

Thank You Card: Families that receive support this season are welcome to complete a Thank You card that will be given to the donor. There will be cards available to fill out while picking up your gifts!
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Those who would like to provide assistance as a donor are welcome to submit a donor application starting November 1, 2024.  
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By agreeing to adopt a DSAGT family you are making a commitment to provide that family with enough gifts to give them a meaningful holiday. The wish list that the families provide is meant to be a guide in helping you give items that are truly needed or desired to give these families a reason to rejoice this holiday season! You understand that all the families to be adopted are living on the edge financially and struggle every month to cover the costs of providing the basics like food, shelter and clothing. Families requesting to be adopted this year have applied and been approved.
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A few important notes for Adopt-A-Family Donors:
  • The suggested gift range is $35-$50 per person.
  • Donor gift drop offs are December 2 – 7. You will receive a direct link to schedule your drop off time when matched.
  • Gifts must be labeled and wrapped.
  • Please include a list or picture of what items are included.  One idea is to take a picture of the gifts together before wrapping them!
  • If you are purchasing clothing items, please include a gift receipt for size exchanges.
  • Be sure to include the name of the recipient on each gift. On the “from” section of the label, you may put Santa or leave it blank.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Adopt-A-Family Program?
Adopt-A-Family is a seasonal program hosted by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo during the holiday season that matches our families who have a child with Down syndrome in need with generous donors in the community. Donors are assigned to a family to assist based on the Donor's family size preference. During the holidays Donors purchase new items from the family's wish list provided.
​How does the Adopt-A-Family Program Work?
DSAGT families who are looking for holiday assistance are encouraged to apply by the application deadline. Those DSAGT families will then be matched up to a donor who has also applied to adopt a family by the deadline. DSAGT will work to match as best as we can based on the information in both family and donor profiles so that each and every family who applies can be adopted this holiday season. Donors will then drop off wrapped gifts to the DSAGT office and the families will be able to sign up a time to come pick up their families gifts. 
What families participate in Adopt-A-Family?
Adopt-A-Family participants are families living in Northwest Ohio and Southern Michigan who have a child with Down syndrome and are also struggling financially this holiday season to provide for thier families. 
Do I have to buy everything on the family's Wish List?
No, the Wish List is a guide to inform donors of the types of items the family needs this holiday season. Donors may purchase the items on the list or any other items they would like for the family. All gifts are at the donor’s discretion. Please provide us with an itemized list or photo of all gifts donated to the family when you drop off the gifts.
What is the deadline to drop off gifts?
Gift drop-off will take place from December 2nd thru December 7th at the DSAGT office (6910 Airport Highway Suite 5A, Holland, OH 43528) We accept donor applications up to November 12th. You will then receive your family match along with their wishlist by November 18th. 
Do the gifts have to be new?
Yes, all items given through Adopt-A-Family must be new.
How do the gifts get to the family?
Gifts will be organized at the DSAGT office and then picked up by the family from the office between December 12th and 17th, just in time for the holidays. Families will be sent a sign-up genius link, upon being matched with a donor, to select their pick-up time. 
Do I need to wrap the gifts?
Yes, Gifts must be labeled and wrapped. Please include a list or a picture of what items are included. We recommend taking a picture of the gifts together before wrapping them. If you are purchasing clothing items, we ask that you please include a gift receipt for size exchanges. Be sure to include the name of the recipient on each gift. On the "from" section of the label, you may put Santa or leave it blank.
Instead of adopting a family, can I make a donation?
Yes, monetary gifts can be accepted through DSAGT's website (www.dsagt.org/donate) or you can mail a check to PO Box 298 Sylvania, OH 43560)

You may also drop off gift cards and unwrapped gifts at the DSAGT office, which we will use to fulfill Wish lists or families who are not paired with donors. Most families are seeking very basic needs, grocery store gift cards, household items (towels, sheets, cleaning supplies, etc.), clothing (gloves, hats, coats, socks, etc.) and toys for young children and teenagers.
 Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo
PO Box 298 Sylvania, OH 43560
[email protected]
567-742-4004
​© Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo. All rights reserved.
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