Support a family

Penn VIPS is sponsoring the “Adopt-a-Family” program, in which departments, offices, and centers around the University “adopt” a deserving family for the holidays. The program is usually done in lieu of departmental gift exchanges. The department treats the assigned family to presents, and sometimes a holiday dinner.

Departments are provided with information about the family, including names, ages, and sizes of each family member; they may request a “wish list” from the family or may choose their own gifts.

Families are selected from the Baring House Family Service Agency and local shelters. A small number of referrals are also accepted. The selection of families begins in November and assignments are made during and prior to mid-December.

To participate in the program, contact Isabel Sampson-Mapp at 215-898-2020 or sammapp@pobox.upenn.edu.