Cheryl Evans dances around her answer when I ask for her official title at United Way of Pierce County. 

"Let's just say I'm the coordinator in the volunteer center. My official title is too official. I'm here to help people," she informs me.

An employee with United Way of Pierce County (UWPC) for nearly a decade, Evans has seen one of the organization's most ambitious vehicles of community service blossom into greatness. For more than 12 years UWPC has headed a program known as Season of Caring, providing families in need with a holiday season filled with smiles instead of disappointment and loneliness.

One generous program that falls under the UWPC's Season of Caring umbrella is "Adopt-A-Family," which encourages public participants, including individuals and groups, to sponsor chosen families in need by purchasing items from a wish list created by the families.

Popular kid-requested items range from video games, skateboards and bikes to popular brand-name clothing. Parents of younger children often ask for educational toys, which warms the heart of Evans, who has seen it all when it comes to wish lists.

"It's sometimes very sad. Families are asking for things like laundry detergent and toilet paper. Those are things nobody should have to ask for," Evans says. "It's also tragic when families have no heat so they ask to have their heat paid or a table to eat on.  Those are not your typical holiday requests."

Although the UWPC's Season of Caring does everything in its power to recruit and procure needed items, they do not have the authority to take in families or accept requests for families to be added to the program. Evans informs me that UWPC only works with sponsors. "Every family added to our Adopt-A-Family program has been verified, is under case management, and comes from Pierce County Human Services," she says. "Not just anyone can call us and be added."

Last year the UWPC Season of Caring helped more than 1200 individuals and brought in over $51,000 in donations. After providing these numbers, Evans sadly says that while there is a need for more help in the community this year, and more and more families are struggling, resources and donations are fewer than ever before this year. 

"It's really very unfair," Evans tells me with a heavy heart.

Sponsors of the Adopt-A-Family program enjoy a direct connection with families in need and often ask for specific families every year.  Most families allow delivery, but some still ask to remain anonymous. 

Ways people can help through UWPC's Season of Caring include sponsoring a family, sponsoring a giving tree, holding a toy drive or sending in cash donations. 

"Any support is valuable, no matter how big or small," Evans reiterates.

Find more information at uwpc.org/ seasonofcaring/htm

You can help

Homelessness and access to affordable housing is a critical issue for our community.  In 2010 - during a 24 hour annual "count" - 1,807 persons were counted as homeless. However, it is estimated that four to five times more people will be homeless during any year than can be counted on any given night. 

To donate money to United Way's effort to provide affordable housing to those in need, text HOUSE to 20222 and donate $10 to provide housing for all.

For more information on United Way's housing programs, click here.