by Stephen Dafoe
The Morinville’s Marvelous Moms (MMM) facebook group is breaking away from their smartphones and tablets to put their mission in motion again this holiday season. The 1100 member group, committed to creating positive change in the community, is once again working on their annual Adopt-a-Family campaign, an initiative started in 2012 to help every member of families in need at Christmas.
“This initiative all started in 2012, with two moms on a mission to help two families,” said MMM founder Sarah Hall. “They had the same idea – reaching out to our local Morinville Marvelous Moms group to help create some Christmas magic. What started out as a small request for help, blossomed into a whirlwind of donations, overwhelming support and more referrals for families needing assistance.”
The initiative helped 13 families in 2012 and 21 families in 2013. Through two years of assisting those in need, the group has come to realize there are many families unable to receive much-needed support at Christmas, a situation the group is determined to help as best they can.
Hall said the group initiative is different than other hamper programs offered by other agencies. Namely, families can be nominated or brought forward by a third party, the program helps families that do not qualify for assistance through government agencies, and families who donate have the opportunity to shop for gifts on a more personal basis. Additionally, the program seeks to acquire specialty items needed by families through the network of 1100 moms in the group.
Providing families with complete relief from cleaning supplies and toiletries to filling the pantry with foods, Hall said she has been pleased with the response from the community. “The response and support we have received from our community has been incredible and humbling,” she said. “In our first year it was mostly just our moms group contributing. Last year we had local businesses, groups and even teens pitching in any way they could.”
Hall said it has been a large task to keep up with the outpouring of support and the inpouring of need. She said the group is grateful to live in a community that cares so much. “Our hope is to continue blessing families for years to come, but we realize that this initiative has celebrated such success, and will only continue to do so, because of our communities generosity and giving hearts,” Hall said.
The Marvelous Moms are asking for the community’s support once again this season. They are looking for donations of food, gifts, toiletries, household items, and grocery gift cards. Opportunities for families to have an evening out together with tickets to movies, shows, and other activities are also welcomed donations.
Those wishing to donate can contact Sarah Hall at mmmoms@hotmail.com or by phoning 780-231-6682.
As the Program Coordinator for the Sunflower Community Resource Program, I am extremely grateful for this initiative, which although is Morinville based, is becoming more and more regional in scope.
Our program has referred three families outside of Morinville, but within the Sturgeon region thus far, this season.
I know that many of the members of the MMM Facebook group reside outside of Morinville town limits, and want to encourage them to support the initiative as well, if they are not already doing so.
The Knights of Columbus and regional food banks do great work, and the MMM Adopt-a-Family Program is a terrific compliment to these programs.
Thanks so much to all involved for taking the time, care and initiative to help support hurting people in our region.
Peace and Love this Holiday Season!