Community Supports Gateway Youth

Gateway Youth Programs would like to thank many organizations and the community participating in the Adopt-a-Child program and helping families during the past holiday season. Community support made a difference in the lives of so many of our community youth in need.

Every year organizations participate by adopting a child or children for Christmas, supplying them with gifts. This year the program was able to provide Christmas gifts for 62 involved youth. “Each organization gives us an idea of how they would like to help. Some will request a family, some will want a child or two, and others will assist us in any way they can,” said Ruth Barga, Lead Youth Advocate. Once an organization confirms that they want to participate in the program, they are matched with a child or family and given information on the sizes, likes, and needs. This program supports many local youth to have a better Christmas, when otherwise they might go without. All the gifts are purchased by the organizations without knowing the youth and families that they are helping.

Gateway Youth Programs would like to thank the following area businesses and organizations that participated this year with their Adopt A Child Program: Alterra Sterling House, Boots and Saddles 4-H Club, Darke County Beef 4-H Club, Dues Family, G&R Plumbing LLC, Greenville Technology Inc., Member's Choice Credit Union, Mercer Savings Bank, Operation Christmas Cheer, Pitsburg Trinity Lutheran Church, Webster United Methodist Church, and Whirlpool.

Every year seems to be different. This year an additional three Thanksgiving meals were provided and one family is being adopted year round for special occasions. “The generosity that is displayed is amazing. Whirlpool adopted 26 individuals just themselves.” said Barga.

Greenville Technology Inc. worked with Gateway Youth to assist a special family that has faced a long term challenge that additionally created many recent obstacles for the family. Many hours of manpower were spent raising funds, purchasing and wrapping gifts, and locating resources to assist with this family. “We needed a box truck and additional vehicles to deliver everything out to this house. It was unlike anything I had ever witnessed,” said Barga.

“GTI’s Helping Hands Campaign was a huge success,” said Stephanie Bocanegra from GTI. “Each year GTI adopts a family, but this particular year a family’s story touched all of our hearts. It was our mission as a company to provide them with a Christmas they would never forget. We did just that.”

“We established a committee of 33 keyworkers from various departments at GTI to support the campaign. A big thank you goes out to all the GTI keyworkers, especially Hope Eyer who was GTI’s co-coordinator; she was a huge part of this year’s successful campaign. As a company we are truly blessed and fortunate to have such caring associates as we do here at GTI. This year’s campaign was truly heartwarming and one I will never forget” said Bocanegra.

Bocanegra went on to say, “GTI would also like to thank the following businesses, individuals or organizations that helped by giving monetary donations to help purchase furniture for the family: Versailles Christian Church, Brandt Swine Farm, Williamson Insurance, Ansonia Lumber, First Assembly of God, Medicine & More, Fitzwater Tree & Lawn Care. Hittle Pontiac, Loudy’s Office Supply, G&G Flooring, Diana Conklin, Rita Neff & Ohio Outlaw Premier Girls Fast Pitch Softball Team. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.”

“Our goal was to help give families a special Christmas and hopefully we accomplished that. This Adopt-a-Child program would not be possible without all the compassionate individuals and organizations that support it. It is a very special time of year and the program brings joy and happiness to the families that we serve,” said Barga.

If you or your organization would like get involved and adopt a child or family in the future, you can contact Ruth Barga at 937-548-8002. Gateway Youth is a program of Council on Rural Services …programs for innovative learning that supports youth in Darke County. For more information check the Web site at www.councilonruralservices.org or call 937-778-5220.