Final day for Christmas Bureau sign-up!
8:34 p.m. Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tomorrow is the last day for families needing Christmas help to sign-up for the Christmas Bureau.
Each year the United Way program helps hundreds of families.
"So many people in Topeka have been so generous stepping forward to say, 'I'll adopt a family,'" said Barbara Lundquist, the director of the Volunteer Center for United Way.
Private adopters help those in need with Christmas meals and gifts. To qualify, families need to be 150 percent above the federal poverty level.
One former applicant became a volunteer.
"Somehow my application got lost and I talked to Julie," said volunteer Cathy Vasquez. "She knew I'm bilingual and she asked me if I would help and I said sure. So she said, 'Well, we'll take care of you.'"
Applicants need to bring proof of income, Social Security cards, and a valid picture ID.
Lundquist said even in tough economic times, every little bit helps.
"If you're thinking of adopting and think you can't do one family, go in with a neighbor," she said. "I know I play Bunko with the ladies in the neighborhood and we're pooling our resources to do some holiday things."
You can sign up at the Christmas Bureau Office in the Sweet Building at 6th and Topeka Boulevard.
Sign-up's are tomorrow from 10 to 4:30.
If you'd like to donate, log onto unitedwaytopeka.org.
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