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Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More about Lifeline's Annual Holiday Giving Tradition

 

Sign Up to Adopt-a-Family

 

Adopt-A-Family is a holiday giving program in San Diego County designed to help low-income families who are Lifeline clients celebrate the holiday season by connecting them with local businesses, organizations, and individuals who “adopt” them. Every year, we are inspired by the generosity of our community. Thank you for making this program possible!

Complete the Adopt-A-Family interest form to get started. Lifeline will match you with a Lifeline family and provide you with a personalized list of their most needed and wish items for the holidays. Then, deliver the gifts no later than December 12th, 2025 to Lifeline’s Vista Campus. Please make sure to meet this deadline.

Lifeline staff arranges the delivery of gifts to families.

All adopted families are Lifeline clients, nominated by Lifeline staff for their dedication to becoming self-sufficient. This includes families who have experienced homelessness, youth who have aged out of foster care, youth in diversion programs, and survivors of human trafficking. These families face economic hardship and are working hard to build stability.

We encourage donors to provide at least two gifts per family member. On average, donors spend between $75–$100 per individual. If you’d like to make your gift go even further, please contact us for guidance.

No, all gifts and donations must be new.

While we encourage families to focus on basic needs, we also ask them to include one “special wish.” Many of our families have never had the opportunity to wish for something just for joy or comfort. If you prefer to support a family whose needs better align with your budget, please let us know — we’re happy to match you accordingly. Remember, you are not obligated to purchase everything on the list, though we aim to provide at least two gifts per person.

Please drop off gifts between December 1 and December 12 during pre-scheduled times at our Vista Campus. More information about our “Donation Drop-off Party” will be shared soon!

Some families love the surprise of wrapped gifts, while others prefer to wrap them together as part of their own holiday tradition. The wishlist will note each family’s preference.

Please deliver your gifts in labeled bins, boxes, or bags to keep everything organized.

Most importantly: make sure the recipient’s name and family code are clearly labeled on ALL gifts.

Example: Box 1 of 3, Box 2 of 3, Box 3 of 3, etc.

If you have more than one family, please use separate boxes for each family.

*If you include Gift Cards*, please ensure they are activated and placed in one labeled envelope with the family code.

To protect the privacy of the families we serve, donors do not meet families directly and will only receive first names of family members.

Yes! You can adopt more than one family as long as you can provide the same level of support to each. Larger families (6+) are often the hardest to match, so your help is especially appreciated there.

If your circumstances change, please contact us immediately so we can make other arrangements for the family.

Gift cards of any amount help families who haven’t yet been adopted or who need a little extra support. The most requested stores include: Food4Less, Stater Bros, Albertsons, and local gas stations.

We also need volunteers during the first two weeks of December! You can sign up at lifelinecs.org/volunteer or email volunteer@nclifeline.org. Bring family, friends, or coworkers — the more the merrier!

Adopt-A-Family donations may be tax-deductible. You’ll receive a thank-you letter in January acknowledging your participation. For in-kind donations, keep your receipts to attach to your letter for your records. Lifeline’s Tax ID Number is 95-2794253.

Have a question that wasn’t answered here?

Email give@nclifeline.org or call 760-842-6254.