Once again, it is time for the 25th Annual Adopt a Family Program! Lydia Place needs your support in spreading the holiday cheer to over 300 children in Whatcom County!
First time adopting a family with us?
We have you covered! Keep scrolling to view the step-by-step process, guidelines, and cost break down of adopting a Lydia Place family.
I’m Ready, Take Me to the Families!
We are so happy to have you back! Just like last year, Lydia Place is purchasing the Family Activity on your behalf, so all you have to shop for are the items on each kiddo’s wish lists.
A step-by-overview of the Adopt a Family Program process
Adopt a Family Program Point of Contact
Meredith Stamey
Outreach Manager
360-671-7663 ext 3 | merediths@lydiaplace.org
Step 1: Start getting excited to spread the holiday cheer!
Click here or on the View Families Available for Adoption button above to start viewing the available families to adopt this holiday season. Our families, like yours, come in all sizes. We have organized families by size to make the experience of adopting a family one that is clear and easy to navigate.
Please note: families in the $100 range will have one child, the $200 range will have two children, the $300 range will have three children, etc. To view a family’s unique wish list and hear what they are grateful for this year just simply click on the family.
For a breakdown of the costs associated with adopting a family and frequently asked questions click to expand the tab buttons below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have questions about what gifts to buy?
Choosing gifts can be challenging especially when you are purchasing gifts for someone you don’t know. Some wish lists can be very specific while others are very vague so we just ask that you use your best judgement. If it’s helpful think about what a child in your family might want or ask other parents or grandparents with children in that age range what they like. We encourage you to have fun with it, no one knows better than our adopters that picking out and giving gifts is just as rewarding as getting them.
What is the family activity?
The family activity is such an impactful aspect of our program because while gifts around the holidays mean a great deal, allowing space for togetherness and the creation of new memories is essential to strengthening family bonds. Further, these activities continue to offer a stronger connection between our clients and the community around them. We provide grocery gift cards alongside passes for local experiences to empower parents to create memories and traditions that are important to them.
Why don’t we wrap the gifts ourselves?
We all can imagine the excitement around the holidays and the wonder in children’s eyes when opening gifts together. As a parent, getting to see these gifts beforehand and get excited themselves is also such an amazing gift. By allowing parents to wrap these items themselves, they get to be involved and have some ownership of all those warm fuzzy gift-giving feelings awaiting their family.
What happens if I can’t follow through with my adoption?
Please reach out as soon as possible to Meredith Stamey, our Outreach Manager, at 360-671-7663 ext. 3 or at merediths@lydiaplace.org before November 25th so we can re-post the family on our adoption website with the hope we can have them re-adopted in time.
* If you commit to adopting one of our families and do not drop off your family’s gifts by December 4th or make special arrangements with our team, our agency will charge the credit card on file for the full $100 per child to ensure the family still receives the gifts they were hoping for this holiday season.
Cost Breakdown by Family Size
Cost Breakdown by Size of Family
1 child family will have a total cost of $150
Which includes $100 gifts +$50 upfront cost at the time of online adoption (1x$25 family activity+ $25 family adoption fee/ wrapping supplies)
2 child family will have a total cost of $275
Which includes 2x $100 gifts +$75 upfront cost at time of online adoption (2x $25 family activity + $25 family adoption fee/ wrapping supplies)
A 3 child family will have a total cost of $400
Which includes 3x $100 gifts + $100 upfront cost at time of online adoption (3x$25 family activity gift+ $25 family adoption fee/ wrapping supplies)
A 4 child family will have a total cost of $525
Which includes 4x $100 gifts + $125 upfront cost at the time of online adoption (4x$25 family activity gift + $25 family adoption fee/ wrapping supplies)
A 5 child family will have a total cost of $650
Which includes 5x $100 gifts + $150 upfront cost at the time of online adoption (5x$25 family activity gift+ $25 family adoption fee/ wrapping supplies)
A 6 child family will have a total cost of $775
Which includes 6x $100 gifts + $175 upfront cost at the time of online adoptions (6x$25 family activity gift + $25 family adoption fee/wrapping supplies)
A 7 child family will have a total cost of $900
Which includes 7x $100 gifts + $200 upfront cost at the time of online adoptions (7x$25 family activity gift + $25 family adoption fee/wrapping supplies)
An 8 child family will have a total cost of $1,025
Which includes 8x $100 gifts + $225 upfront cost at the time of online adoptions (8x$25 family activity gift + $25 family adoption fee/wrapping supplies)
Step 2: What to expect after online adoption process is complete
After you check out a receipt will be emailed to you with links to the detailed wish lists of the family (or families) you adopted. There will be a PDF download link in your receipt, which contains key details and reminders for further reference.
Step 3: Go shopping for wish list items!
Use the wish lists included in the receipt you were emailed and have fun! Please purchase approximately $100 in gifts per child (we request you stay within this limit, so gifts are equitable between families). If you are unsure what gifts to purchase, the Frequently Asked Questions section on this page has some ideas for you.
Step 4: Deliver unwrapped gifts the first week of December to our Adopt a Family drop-off location
Drop-off gifts during one of the following days:
Friday Dec. 2nd 10am-6pm
Saturday Dec. 3rd 10am-6pm
Sunday Dec. 4th 10am-6pm
Getting your gifts to the families you adopt before the holidays is our top priority and with over 150 families through Whatcom County, it takes some time so please be ready to drop off your items on the specified dates below at the drop-off location that you receive in your email receipt. Our team will be ready to take your unwrapped gifts, add the family activity, the wrapping supplies, and bag them up for delivery.
Adopt A Family Drop Off Location & Schedule
Drop-off location:
Heart House
1705 Gladstone St.
Bellingham, WA
Friday, December 2nd
Saturday, December 3rd
Sunday, December 4th
*Please try your best to meet this deadline as we anticipate it will take slightly longer for our volunteers and staff to safely organize, prepare, and deliver gifts to over 150+ families throughout Whatcom County. We try our best to honor family time not only with our clients, but with your family, and ours.
