Adopt-A-Kid Goes Online
By Staff Writer Azhley Rodriguez
Contributing Writer Danyael Gonzalez
The annual Adopt-A-Kid, a running tradition at Dominican University for more than 30 years, will switch completely online this year due to high demand.
Adopt-A-Kid, a Christmas gift program for children in need, is hosted by the Staff Benevolence Committee. This year, DU partnered with Fraternite Notre Dame, a traditional Catholic religious order in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.
According to Pamela Morin, the chair of the program, “Adopt-A-Kid is a non-profit entity which works with many Chicago-area shelters and organizations to provide gifts for children and adults in need.”
The event will run through Dec. 15.
According to Morin, “In the past, Adopt-A-Kid would send Dominican a list of 300 names with ages. Faculty, staff and students would ‘adopt’ an individual and buy two gifts – one a ‘fun’ gift and one a practical gift. Participants would then return the wrapped gifts to Dominican and the Benevolence Committee would transport them to the Adopt-A-Kid collection center, where they would then be delivered to the organization associated with the ‘adopted’ person. We typically did not know which organization our names came from.”
This year, the process has been simplified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Morin chose to research other donating options for the program. The Staff Benevolence Committee worked with Catholic Charities last year, and Morin said it proved to be successful.
She worked with Adopt-A-Kid and connected with Fraternite Notre Dame.
“Fraternite Notre Dame requested 500 gifts for the children ages 0-12, who participate in their program,” Morin said. “With their guidance, I created wish lists on Amazon and Target. Members of the DU community are able to shop from these wish lists and purchased gifts will be shipped directly to Fraternite Notre Dame. It’s so easy!”
Anyone who wishes to make a purchase can buy directly from the wish lists and the gifts will be sent to Fraternite Notre Dame for wrapping and distribution.
Items on the wish lists include toys ranging from sports balls, Legos, baby dolls and makeup sets.
There is even an option to add gifts such as hygiene products, hats and gloves for some adults in need.
Anyone who wishes to donate can do so through the Adopt-A-Kid event on EngageDU.
