By Shelby Clark Petkus
Affirmations is conducting two special projects this holiday season to benefit local LGBTQ and allies in need. One of the projects, "We Are All One Family," has been created for those looking for a meaningful way to offer support to a family, as the program is designed to assist low-income LGBTQ and ally-identified families.
According to Affirmations, "The end-of-year season is often filled with tremendous generosity and joy, but it can also be challenging for many families that are in need. There are programs that exist to ensure a happy year-end season; however, identifying as an LGBTQ family often results in no longer being eligible for many of these programs."
Families and those in need were selected earlier this month. For any further questions or concerns on those needing help, contact Syeda Davidson at [email protected]. All participants have been contacted prior to gift-giving.
The options for area LGBTQ and allies to participate are the following:
– Be the person willing to purchase gifts or a meal depending on the request. Volunteers will then be matched with one of the identified families and provided with details about that family.
– Sign up to help wrap gifts at Affirmations on Dec. 13.
– Sign up to help deliver the gifts between Dec. 21-24.
Affirmations urges all reading to participate, be it anonymously or more publicly, noting, "If you choose to participate anonymously and not communicate with the family directly, then all purchases will need to be dropped off at Affirmations on Saturday, Dec. 13. Due to limited storage capacity at the center, we ask that items only be dropped off on this date." They ask that all LGBTQ and allies please consider making a difference in someone's life this season by being part of the much-needed program. For more information on "We Are All One Family," contact Davidson at [email protected] or Jon Fitzgerald at [email protected].
For those unsure of the time or service they can offer, Affirmations is also hosting their Second Annual Holiday Wish List Drive. The Volunteer Development Committee at the community center is looking for help to collect coats, mittens, gloves, hats and other items on the wish list for Affirmations' Youth Program. Items can be dropped in the box near the front desk at the center.
Affirmations is located at 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. More information on the center and its projects can be found at http://www.goaffirmations.org.
