The Holidays are always a busy time of year. With all of the hustle and bustle, many Packers families have added one more item to the list. For the 14th year in a row, Packers families are participating in the Salvation Army's Adopt-a-Family program through the Packers Women's Association (PWA).
This program provides Christmas gifts for families in the community who are experiencing difficult life circumstances and need extra assistance to make a Christmas celebration a reality. The Adopt-a-Family program is a true reflection of the Christmas spirit. This program focuses on giving, and helping the community. The Packers organization is working to continue the type of tradition that focuses on community rather than self.
"PWA got involved because we wanted to share our blessings and to bring Christmas joy into the lives of families who were less fortunate," said Sherry Schuldes, Packers manager of family programs. "By adopting the families for Christmas, it brought the true meaning of Christmas to life for each of us."
Co-chairs Linde Kampman and Traci Schneider have worked together for four years to facilitate the involvement of many women, and families, throughout the Packers organization in the Adopt-a-Family program. Traci has been a part of the Adopt-a-Family program for the past seven years.
"Sometimes we will receive letters from the families, explaining what this program did for them," Schneider said.
Reading the letters and knowing she is directly helping a family is what motivates Traci to help year after year.
Andrea Collins, wife of Nick Collins, has been participating in the Adopt-a-Family program since 2006.
"We know that as a couple we are blessed and fortunate," Collins explained. "We don't have to worry about how to buy Christmas gifts, so we want to bless someone else. As the kids get older, it is important that they don't lose sight of the importance of giving."
For everyone involved, it is a great joy to know they are providing Christmas for a family. It is touching to see that many families are mainly concerned with basic necessities. It brings the realization of what this program means to these families. Many Packers families choose to participate each year after they experience the importance of this project and what it brings to our community.
For the past eight years Linde Kampman, wife of Aaron Kampman, has enjoyed being involved with the Adopt-a-Family program. Linde sees this program as a great way to teach their kids about the joy of giving and give them the experience of helping others.
"In the past, we have received a family that has children around the ages of our own, which works perfect so our whole family goes shopping, Aaron included, and our kids can pick out the toys specifically for our Adopt a Family," Linde stated.
The PWA has chosen to participate in this program because of its great benefit to families in the community. The PWA also wants to recognize, and thank, the hundreds of families throughout the community that give to the Salvation Army and to the Adopt-a-Family project.
On behalf of the PWA I would like to thank everyone for their contributions during the busy holiday season.
Megan Colledge, wife of Packers offensive lineman Daryn Colledge, will be providing regular updates on Packers.com of the many PWA events and activities throughout the 2009 season.
