Places of worship and other groups are encouraged to sponsor large families together.

If it’s not possible for you to adopt a family this holiday season, you may be able to afford a donation that you can make online.

This year has continued to be a very difficult year for all of us and especially for those we serve. Our goal is to provide sponsorships to each of our families in need, which we were able to accomplish for the first time last year and we are trying to match this year. Please spread the word among your friends and help us bless our families this year.

How it works

1. Fill out the easy form to indicate the type of family (adolescents, young single-parent children, small family, large, etc.) you wish to sponsor. Find the form here:
2. We will send you your family details including the total number of family members, each child’s gender, age and height.
3. Go shopping! Buy gifts for each child or family member as well as a grocery gift card for their holiday meal.
4. Please wrap all gifts and clearly mark each gift with respect to each family member.
5. Place all items in a large box or bag clearly marked with the last name and assigned number. If there are bulky items that cannot fit into the family box (bike, quilt, etc.), clearly mark the item with a tag. This ensures that all of your gifts are delivered to your assigned family.
6. Please deliver gifts to our Belmont Park office, Gate 6, 2150 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, NY. before Dec. 10 Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thank you and God bless you.

Pastor Karen Chavez is the general manager of the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy, which looks after back workers throughout the state in all seasons.