Each year, Metropolitan Family Service, in collaboration with the Alliance for Children and Families, celebrates National Family Week. Throughout the months of October and November, MFS coordinates various activities in local schools to bring children and families together, and connect them with resources that enable them to succeed.

National Family Week Awards – MFS presented four National Family Week Awards to individuals and organizations that have made a positive impact on policies and programs for families in our area. More

Advocacy Forum for the Continuum of Meaningful Paid and Unpaid Work and Service for Those 50 and Above On November 19, 2009, Metropolitan Family Service, AARP of Oregon, Hands on Greater Portland, Life By Design Northwest, and Oregon Volunteers hosted local nonprofits and public organizations in a learning collaborative, to share and learn from the experiences of people 50+ seeking meaningful paid and unpaid work and service.

For more information contact Stefana Sardo, Community Liaison, at 503.232.0007 ext.252.

How can you and your family participate? MFS coordinates both a Holiday Toy Store for low-income parents to select a gift for each of their children, and a Holiday Cheer program to deliver a small gift bag and a friendly visit to an isolated older adult.

Holiday Toy Store - needed items:

• Gifts for 13-18 year olds

• Electronics (MP3 and DVD players)

• Gift Cards (contact us for a list of preferred stores)

• Games & toys for birth to 13 years

• Donations are needed by Friday, December 11.

For more information on donating or helping at the Holiday Toy Store, please contact
Jarrine Shaw at 503.232.0007, ext. 107 or
jarrines@metfamily.org

Holiday Cheer – needed items:

• Postage stamps

• Gift cards (grocery or drug stores)

• Cozy blankets

• Toiletries

To donate items or volunteer to help deliver gift bags, please contact Marcy Hughes at 503.249.0471 or marcyh@metfamily.org.

If you would like to make a financial donation to National Family Week, please contact Darcie Esch at 503.232.0007, ext. 105.

Thank those who help. Write a thank you to someone who helps your family, such as a day-care provider or a dedicated school teacher.

Volunteer in the community. Volunteer your time with a nonprofit organization in your area. For information about volunteer opportunities at Metropolitan Family Service visit Volunteer.


For more, visit National Family Week.