Families Forward is a charitable organization based in Irvine, California. Their sole mission is to help local at-risk families in Orange County regain economic independence and self-sufficiency through housing, food, education, and additional support where it’s needed the most. Since 2015, Ralph Adamo has dedicated time, effort, and financial aid to provide these local at-risk families with basic essentials and the ability to build their own futures.
Families Forward has a plethora of opportunities available to help support local families in need. Ralph chooses to focus on 3 areas that appeal to him: back-to-school supplies, Thanksgiving food baskets, and holiday toys for kids and teens.
Back-to-School Supply Drive
Back-to-school shopping is routine for most of us and kids look forward to the first day of school showing off a new backpack and supplies. But for those with limited means, it can be a daunting and sad time. Parents in need struggle to be able to provide even the basic backpack and supplies for their kids. Every year Families Forward collects basic school supplies and assembles backpacks with everything kids need for the first day of school and deliver them to their families. When hearing of this need, Ralph took the opportunity to help. He created a drive to collect back-to-school supplies – everything from pencils to backpacks.
Thanksgiving Food Drive and Volunteer Day
It’s become a tradition. Every year Ralph coordinates a Thanksgiving Food Drive collecting a variety of food, and pantry items necessary to cook a traditional Thanksgiving meal. He even collects grocery store gift cards for families to be able to pick up their own fresh Turkeys. Every year, everyone rolls up their sleeves and pitches in to organize the food pantry and take inventory for everything needed for Thanksgiving food baskets and food parcels delivered to local Orange County families less fortunate than themselves.
Holiday Toy Drive
The Holiday Season can be the most wonderful time of the year to many, but for those who barely have enough income to provide food on the table day in and day out, getting gifts for their children is often something parents are just not able to do. Families Forward offer many ways to support their families each holiday season, but Ralph has chosen to support their toy drive collecting new unwrapped toys each year before and during a Holiday Open House he hosts. His friends and family all joyously arrive with toys in hand and place their items under a decorated tree. Nothing is more rewarding than giving to these children, who might not have had any gifts to open, now will have at least one and likely many to enjoy on Christmas morning!
The involvement with Families Forward has been none less than rewarding and fulfilling. This commitment of labor and gift-giving has given less fortunate families hope and positivity when they’re struggling to make ends meet. In addition to the financial aid and labor that Ralph Adamo has given over the years, the support has also boosted the visibility of Families Forward, providing further financial contributions and gift-giving as a result.
