For members of the Packers Women's Association, this holiday season has not only been a time of preparation for their own families, but also to take on a more significant contribution.
To that end, the PWA joined forces again with the Salvation Army to help provide a better Christmas for needy families in the Green Bay area. Since 1997, the PWA has participated in the Salvation Army's Adopt-A-Family Program in hopes of spreading a bit of holiday cheer to less fortunate families in the area.
Heading this year's program was Tara Greene, wife of Packers' outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene, along with Julie Wells, wife of Packers' center Scott Wells. And following Monday morning's Christmas gift delivery day, the two were confident that the PWA's 17 adopted families were sure to have a wonderful Christmas.
"Once we determine how many ladies will be participating, we contact the Salvation Army to match up each wife with a family," Greene said. "Each wife can request the size of the family they choose. Once paired up, we are given a defined list of the family's needs. All the families remain anonymous. We only know the size of the family and their needs. The Salvation Army actually sits down with each family to find out in full detail what the family needs, what are their likes, sizes, interests and so forth."
Greene knows how important the Adopt-A-Family Program is and takes pride in the PWA's involvement.
"We are all so blessed to be in a position to help others during the holiday season," Greene said. "This morning when we first arrived at the Shopko Expo Center, the floor was covered in open square spaces. Each square represents a family that has been adopted. And throughout the morning, the squares began to fill up with gifts and it was so heartwarming to see. Just knowing that the gifts in each square will give that family their only Christmas is rewarding."
While each family remains anonymous and there is not a set price for each family, the detailed information provided by the Salvation Army helps each participating adopter get to know a little bit more about their chosen family.
"Once we are given the detailed description of our family, we are happy to fulfill the needs and do everything possible to ensure a wonderful Christmas," Greene said.
Also contributing to this year's Adopt-A-Family Program was Festival Foods. Festival Foods and the PWA teamed up to provide each family with a gift card to purchase the holiday goodies of their choice.
"I really want to commend Festival Foods and their involvement," Greene said. "They really want to see each family have the best possible holiday and I think that is great. They contributions will go a long way."
For Greene, participating in the Adopt-A-Family Program is something she truly enjoys to do and knows that this is something all PWA members hope to continue. "This is a great program to be a part of and we are truly blessed to help others have a great Christmas," she said. "Our involvement is no reflection on us as we are glad to do this. Anything to make someone's Christmas a little better is worth so much."
