Bring Some Cheer To A Veteran's Family for the Holidays

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. What am I expected to provide the for the Caregiver? 
For each caregiver adopted, you are asked to provide a minimum of $100 food gift card or prepaid VISA towards a holiday meal. For the Caregiver, we ask that you 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 to and mail with enough time to receive prior to the Christmas/Hanukkah holidays. (We recommend mailing by December 11th.)

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

​3. Can I adopt multiple caregivers? 
Yes, you can adopt up to 3 families as long as you can provide the minimum requirements to each caregiver.

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 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.

4. Do I need to contact my adopted caregiver? 
Yes, you will be given the address, phone number and email of each caregiver. Please contact the caregiver within 48 hours of pairing to identify yourself as their sponsor. It is your responsibility to verify the information provided and get additional information that will help you with your holiday purchases. 

5. Can I wrap the gifts? 
Please wrap your gifts.

6. Will I need to mail the gifts and a gift card.  
It is your responsibility as the sponsor to ensure that the gifts and gift card reach the caregiver before the holidays. You can send the gifts and gift card through any mail service you choose, but we recommend that you mail the package in enough time to be received prior to the holidays and that you obtain a tracking number in the event that the package gets lost. The earlier you send packages the better due to  the holiday rush at the post office. Please mail no later than Dec. 11.

7. Can I ask the caregiver over to my house? 
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.

8. Can I make the family 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.  

9. How do you screen the caregivers? 
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.

10. How long does it take for me to be matched with a 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.  

11. Do you give my information to the caregiver when they are adopted? Yes. Our caregivers would like to thank you and provide a photo of the family if possible. If you prefer they not have your contact information please check the appropriate box on the application. Once you adopt, we will send an email to the caregiver letting them know that they have been adopted. It is your responsibility at that time to contact the family within 48 hours of the adoption to let them know that you are their sponsor for the holidays. 

12. What happens if I cannot fulfill my obligation to the family that I have adopted? If you are unable to send gifts and a gift card to the family due to personal reasons, please contact Denise Gula Weller at denise@vetspouse.org and explain your situation. We must know so that we can secure another sponsor for the caregiver. We do not want the caregiver to be left without a gift and gift card once they have been notified of their adoption. 
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! 

SPONSOR APPLICATION FORM: Individual 
With this application, you agree to sponsor a caregiver with a minimum $50 gift and a $100 gift card to help with the holiday meal.
    If yes, I understand that as the Team Lead Sponsor all communication will come through me. I understand that I am responsible for ensuring all requirements of sponsorship have been met. 
    If this application is on behalf of a group or family please provide the name and address.
    COMMENT: ​
    ​Please indicate if you would like to adopt a caregiver in a specific geographic region or any other special requests for our staff to take into consideration. We cannot guarantee you will be paired with a caregiver that matches your request.

    I understand that I am not guaranteed a caregiver in my local area and agree to support the caregiver assigned to me no matter their location in the U.S.


    ​I Agree to mail gifts to the caregiver no later than Dec. 11 and to hold on to tracking number in case there are problems with delivery.

    ​I Agree and acknowledge the requirement that my gift will be a minimum of $50 and the food gift card will be a minimum of $100 value.
    Once you are paired with a Caregiver, we will email you the Caregiver's contact information and wish-list. We request that you reach out to the Caregiver within 48 hours of pairing. Please mail wrapped gift and grocery card or prepaid gift card to the Caregiver no later than December 11 to ensure that it is received in time for the holidays.