Our Adopt A Caregiver Holiday Program Is Perfect for
Church Groups, Community Organizations and Businesses

Thank you for your interest in our Adopt a Caregiver for the Holidays program. Below is a list of commonly asked questions to familiarize you with the program. If this does not answer your questions, please feel free to contact Denise Gula Weller at denise@vetsouse.org or Megan Cain at megan@vetspouse.org.

​1.  How many Caregivers can we adopt? 
You may adopt as many caregivers as you think you can support. We require that businesses, Churches or Community Organizations adopt a minimum of 2 families. If your organization only wants to adopt 1 caregiver, you can register as a Individual/Team Leader Sponsor through our website at www.vetspouse.org.

2. What am I expected to provide the Caregiver? 
For each caregiver adopted, you are asked to provide a minimum of $100 food gift card or prepaid VISA toward a holiday meal. For the caregiver, we ask you to purchase a minimum $50 gift/gifts. Gifts must be new and holiday wrapped. You will need to ship the presents to the caregiver you have been matched with and mail with enough time to receive prior to the Christmas/Hanukkah holidays. (We recommend mailing no later than Dec. 11.

3.  How soon do I need to tell you that I want to adopt families? 
Our goal is to match Caregivers as soon as possible. Pairing will begin Nov. 15 through Dec. 1, 2019.

4.  Can I specify the location of the Caregiver? 
You can specify the location of the caregiver and we will make every attempt to match you with a caregiver in your community. We cannot guarantee that veteran families will be close to your city or location as we have caregivers who register across the United States. Since you will need to mail your package, we ask that you maintain the tracking number of the packages mailed in case there is a problem with delivery.

5. Do I contact the caregiver? 
Yes, you will be given the address, phone number and email of each caregiver. You are required to contact the caregiver within 48 hours of pairing. It is then your responsibility to verify the information provided and get additional information that will help you with your holiday purchases.

​6. How will I know what to buy? 
The caregiver will provide a wish-list as part of their application. Once you make contact with the caregiver, You can ask for more specific details, sizes (if clothing is requested), color preference, etc. We ask that you not provide gift cards as presents.

7. Can I wrap the gifts? 
Yes, please wrap your gifts.

8. Can I ask the families to our place of business or invite all of our families to a party we are having? 
No, many families may not feel comfortable with this situation or it may not be conducive for the service member if he/she has physical or other disabilities. Our veterans suffer from posttraumatic stress and/or Traumatic Brain Injury and new situations or people may make them uncomfortable. We want to ensure a positive experience for everyone.

9. If the families are in my area, can I make the families dinner and bring it to them? 
No, for the liability, safety and comfort of our veteran families, we ask that you provide a gift card for the meal. If the family does not wish to cook, you can purchase a cooked meal from a local grocer or restaurant and have the family pick up the meal. Please make sure that you check with the family on any dietary needs or allergies of the family.

10. How do you screen the families? 
All families are screened for participation in our Adopt a Caregiver for the Holidays program. Proof of service and disability are both validated before a caregiver becomes eligible for adoption.

11. How long does it take for me to be matched with a veteran caregiver? 
​Following Nov. 15 and once we receive your application on-line, we will begin the matching process. Caregivers are made available for adoption as soon as they are screened and approved for the program. Our goal is for you to have a positive experience with your participation in this program. If you have any problems or concerns, please contact Denise Gula Weller at denise@vetspouse.org or Megan Cain at Megan@vetspouse.org. Thank you!