Every year, Sanders County Coalition for Families (SCCFF) helps make Christmas a little extra special for families in the county. With the help and generosity of area residents, SCCFF’s Adopt a Family program is always a success. Right before Christmas, SCCFF reaches out to families they have helped to get a list of needs and wishes for the holiday season.

This will be the first year Kayla Torres will be running the program. According to Torres, SCCFF will be helping 10 families this year and she was blown away by the community’s response to take part in the program. “I’ve never seen a community come together the way Sanders County does,” Torres said. “Seeing the happiness on the adopters and adoptees faces is what really pushed me to start running the program. I’ve got some big shoes to fill, but this is one of my favorite parts of working here.” Torres will be taking the reins after her predecessor, Crystal Buchanan stepped down from running the program.

Because of the response SCCFF received from community members wanting to adopt a family this year, Torres said she started directing people toward the Sheriff’s Relief Fund. “They have a bigger outreach and they can help families who don’t fit under SCCFF’s credentials,” Torres said. “I think they do a wonderful job.”

Along with donations, the Plains Woman’s Club made stockings for each child and the Thompson Falls Woman’s Club donated stocking stuffers. The Paradise group, A Stitch in Time, donated handmade bookbags for the families.

“Roseanne Lundberg at Thompson Falls High School helped coordinate with the students who make the wood crates each year,” Torres said. “The wood crates are filled with Christmas dinner items that will go to each family.”

First Lutheran Church in Plains and Our Saviors Church in Thompson Falls donated full-size bottles of body wash, shampoo and conditioner. “It’s always nice to give our families full sizes and fresh toiletries,” Torres said. “It really makes a difference.”

Torres says she plans to hold a wrap-a-thon on December 18 to get all the gifts wrapped and wood crates assembled. She also says SCCFF is looking for gift bag donations for those oddly shaped presents.

“It’s so fulfilling for everyone involved,” Torres exclaimed. “I love the excitement and the empathy our adopters have. We will do anything in our power to make this happen for our families, especially for the kids.”