United Way, El Puente ask for help providing Christmas for families

Mid-Missourians demonstrate their generosity yearround, United Way of Central Missouri President Ann Bax pointed out.

Especially during the holiday season.

When an opportunity to connect businesses with an agency in the community that needed help providing Christmas for families arose, the United Way couldn’t refuse.

Cristhia Castro, executive director of El Puente Hispanic Ministry, approached the United Way and asked it to connect businesses and individuals with 45 families in Cole and Moniteau counties who are struggling to make ends meet, let alone provide a joyous Christmas.

El Puente is a Catholic agency that focuses on helping people experience the healing love of Jesus and promotes human dignity through ministry in the Hispanic community.

“There are quite a few families that (Castro) knew would be needing some help for Christmas,” Bax said. “Any time we can be the convener and help join up individuals and organizations with agencies and meet their needs, that is important to us.”

Bax sent out a request to the United Way’s board, its governing body and loyal businesses.

“We oftentimes have businesses asking if we have families to adopt. I thought it was the right thing to do,” she said.

Several businesses and individuals have adopted 15 of the families so far, she said.

She wanted to be clear the United Way is not competing with the Samaritan Center, Salvation Army, Redeem Project or other organizations helping

families over the holidays, and added the church she attends adopts about 50 families through the Samaritan Center every year.

“We’re certainly not trying to do what they do,” Bax said.

“We’re just hoping to connect people in need with people who want to help. We see that as an important role for us,” Bax said. “Businesses tell us all the time they want to do something to help the community.”

Many consider adopting families in lieu of Christmas parties. To adopt a family, contact the United Way of Central Missouri at 573-636-4100 no later than Friday. The office will connect individuals and businesses with El Puente.

It will be between El Puente and the businesses to work out the details for each adoption. El Puente will provide clothing sizes, ages and other information. If there is a gift or toy that would be appropriate for each boy or girl, the agency will help with that information, too.

“If anyone wants to help, there’s a need,” Bax said, and emphasized the urgency. “So often, this happens a little too late. It needs to happen now in order to get it all facilitated.”