You don’t need a workshop full of elves and team of flying reindeer to spread joy this holiday season.
All it takes is a phone call to Oxford/Orion FISH and a little extra shopping.
For the second year in a row, the local charity group is conducting ‘AngelFISH,? a holiday gift program for low-income individuals and families in the area.
What AngelFISH does is ‘match those in need with those willing to give.? The program allows donors to adopt one or more persons and choose who they’re giving to in terms of whether its an adult or child, male or female.
People of all ages are on the AngelFISH request list, from senior citizens on fixed incomes to struggling single parents and their children.
AngelFISH recipients submit their clothing sizes and ‘wish lists? including up to four gift items and up to four articles of clothing they would like to receive.
This way people can get exactly what they want instead of random gifts. Getting the toy they want for Christmas can make all the difference to a child.
The registration deadline for individuals and families requesting assistance through AngelFISH is Tuesday, Nov. 30.
Armed with the wish lists, donors then go shopping and spend up to $50 on each person they’ve adopted, according to Trisha Donaldson, of FISH.
A spending limit is set in an effort to ‘spread the wealth? and ‘try to maintain some equity? among the program recipients, Donaldson said.
AngelFISH donors will need to complete all their shopping by Friday, Dec. 10.
If a donor would like to adopt someone, but doesn’t have time to shop, FISH will gladly accept cash donations or gift cards and send volunteers to do the shopping for them.
Last year through AngelFISH, 41 donors assisted 88 families with gift and clothing requests, according to Donaldson.
To participate in AngelFISH, potential donors and individuals or families requesting assistance should call (248) 693-0638 as soon as possible.
All AngelFISH gifts and clothing will be distributed at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Saturday, Dec. 11.