Surrey family sharing Christmas spirit
Adopting a family for the holidays is one way of saying thanks for the generosity of others
David Kunic still can remember the special Christmas when he was 11 years old, one of six children in a single-parent home in Abbotsford, when a family dropped off a Christmas hamper.
Kunic couldn’t recall the gift itself, but does remember the kindness of strangers at Christmas, when the family would have otherwise done without.
It was that memory that prompted Kunic and his wife, Kassandra, now raising two kids of their own in Surrey, to sign up for the Adopt-A-Family program through the Surrey Christmas Bureau. The bureau is one of the many charities supported by The Province Empty Stocking Fund, with donations from readers.
“We were talking about it (helping a family) this year because my family was sponsored when I was a kid,” David said.
Kassandra Googled it and was happy that they could help out a family close to where they live.
They were paired with a similarly large family — a single mom raising three of her own children, as well as two nephews and a niece, for a total of six kids.
“I knew what it’s like to be in a big family,” said David. “And I had the sense that a lot of people wouldn’t want to adopt a family that size.”
By signing up to adopt a family, the Kunics agreed to provide the family with enough food for a Christmas breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as with gifts.
They were provided with a wish list from the mom/aunt of the children aged two to 15.
Parents to Dominique, 8, and Eli, who turns three this week, the Kunics are going to have Dominique help with the present shopping, and they plan to drop off the hamper before Dec. 20.
“It definitely makes Christmas more meaningful,” said Kassandra, who said they know what it’s like for single moms to provide food and some gifts for kids at Christmas as they have, or have had, siblings in the same situation.
Kassandra has already dropped off some hand-medown clothing to the grateful family, and her hairdressing clients have been interested and supportive of the idea of adopting a family less-fortunate.
“All his (David’s) brothers and sisters want to add something, and my neighbour wants to add something,” she said.
David and Kassandra are happy for the chance to model for their own children the true meaning of Christmas and the joy of giving. They said they’d encourage other families to call the bureau at 604-585-9670, or fill out a form online, to be paired with a family.
The bureau’s Adopt-A-Family aims to match 1,000 families with children under the age of 18 with individuals, businesses and other organizations.