'These kids are getting a Christmas': Local nonprofit delivers gifts to families in need during holidays

Visit Figaro's Restaurant and Lounge around the holidays, and you might notice the list of names scribbled on paper penguins, snowmen and santas behind the bar, categorized by whether they are "naughty" or "nice."

Adding or moving names between the lists will cost employees and customers $1. Organized by employee Julie Smith, her annual fundraiser raises money so area children don't go without gifts at the holidays.

The nonprofit A Wish for Christmas matches families in need with "adopters" who purchase gifts from the family's wish list. Smith has used the fundraiser at her previous employment at Lynwood Bar and now Figaro's to adopt a family in need.

“I don’t want to see any kid not have a Christmas," Smith said.

Smith is one of several hundred individuals and businesses, dubbed "adopters," who step in to help families in need through the nonprofit. Adopters receive a list with items such as clothing sizes, bedding and toys, and can communicate with their adopted families. Adoptees' names and information are not shared with anyone else besides the adopting family.

Adopters can choose to deliver gifts to the family themselves, and adoptees can choose to share photos of children opening gifts, making for a more personalized experience than other gift-giving programs, founder Sherry Sterling said.

"(Adopters) really take (adoptees) on and they really make sure that their Christmas is complete, that that child is going to wake up and just know that they were thought about and cared for...It's a personalized experience for each child," Sterling said.

To adopt a family, message the Facebook page at facebook.com/awishforchristmasstclaircounty or email awishforchristmas@gmail.com. St. Clair and Sanilac County residents may also apply for assistance through the program on the Facebook page until around Nov. 28, Sterling said.

Those that can't afford to adopt an entire family but would still like to donate can reach out to the organization for partial lists of families, or donate to the organization's umbrella nonprofit, A Blue Water Wish for Kids by visiting bluewaterwishforkids.org/ and clicking the donate button.

Last year, Blue Water Wish for Kids became a 501c3 nonprofit. Sterling said while she is still forming the programs, Blue Water Wish for Kids helps families in need throughout the year after an emergency or unexpected event by purchasing things such as furniture or clothes.

Sterling said she also posts Amazon, Walmart and Target wish lists closer to the holidays where people can purchase individual items for families.

Hundreds of families helped since 2013

Sterling founded the organization in 2013 after seeing people reaching out for help on Facebook. From there, the organization grew from more than 50 adopted families to 204 families last year, including 464 children.

This year, Sterling said she expects about the same number of adoptees as families continue to cope with rising inflation. At the same time, donations and those willing to adopt have decreased from last year.

If it wasn't for being adopted, these families would go with no or very few gifts at the holidays, Sterling said.

"This isn't just one or two toys being delivered to these kids," Sterling said. "These kids are getting a Christmas; they're getting their wish for Christmas. These adopters are amazing in what they do for our kids."

Smith said it's rewarding to see pictures of the kids' smiling faces opening their presents and to deliver the gifts to the parents, who are always appreciative.

Contact Laura Fitzgerald at (810) 941-7072 or lfitzgeral@gannett.com.