Fifteen families from Mendota, Cantua Creek, and San Joaquin received holiday gifts this week thanks to the Alliance for Medical Outreach & Relief.

During the fourth annual Adopt-A-Family Christmas, AMOR and its community partners delivered presents made up of items from each family’s wishlist.

“AMOR is so grateful for the opportunity to bring holiday cheer to so many children and families this Christmas,” said AMOR’s executive director, Davena Witcher.

Adopt-A-Family Campaign Helps Families In Need

Families are “adopted” by a local company or agency after they have been identified as being in need by the Mendota Unified and Golden Plains Unified school districts.

The companies and agencies then purchase and wrap the wishlist gifts — toys, clothes, essential household items — and deliver them to the doorstep.

After witnessing Christmas gifts arrive, one 5-year-old girl couldn’t hold in her excitement. She jumped for joy, asking, “Are those for us?!”

Yes, they were.

The annual Adopt-A-Family campaign began in 2018, with five families. With the help from local groups, the number of adopted families has grown.

“Thanks to our partnerships with Mendota Unified School District, Golden Planes School District,s and the numerous companies that chose to adopt families, the holidays are joyful across west Fresno County,” said Witcher.

This year’s participating family adopters were Fresno County Public Defender’s Office, Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, Granville Homes, James G. Parker Insurance, Malakan Diamond Co., and Touchstone Pistachio Co.

About AMOR

The AMOR Wellness Center in Mendota provides essential services to create a safety net of medical, mental health, social, and youth development resources, tailored to the specific needs of Mendota residents and surrounding communities.

GV Wire publisher Darius Assemi is president/CEO of Granville Homes and a member of the AMOR board of directors.