Every year during the Christmas season, dozens of families are without a Christmas day dinner and Christmas presents for their children.
In order to brighten up these families’ holidays, Officer Tom Rigatti of the Bethel Park Police is doing what is called, The Adopt-A-Family Program.
This program essentially gets volunteers such as principals of schools, teachers, church leaders and officers to submit the names of families that need help during the Christmas season.
Officer Rigatti will then call the family to ask permission in order to help them. If the family accepts the help, he tries to obtain a “wish” list consisting of clothing sizes, toys that the children want, things that the family like to do together, and any general need of that family.
The family is then sponsored by volunteers throughout the community. Some sponsors will go and buy the gifts, while others will simply supply gift cards. The sponsors have no idea about the identity of the specific person they are shopping for, it is strictly confidential. The sponsor can also remain anonymous if the family getting assistance asks. Sometimes the family getting assistance likes to thank their sponsors.
The biggest need right now for this program is Giant Eagle and Shop N Save gift certificates as they provide Officer Rigatti the flexibility to purchase gifts for basically anyone.
The biggest thing to remember is that these families are from BETHEL PARK, and for the most part have children who attend Bethel Park Schools.
Officer Rigatti also asks that all sponsors bring the gifts to him for the family by December 18th. That way, he has plenty of time to distribute them before the holidays.
If you have any further questions or would like to become involved, feel free to contact Officer Tom Rigatti at [email protected] or call him at 412-831-6800 ext. 104.