Background
PRFC has joined the efforts of the Elf program at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA). The holiday Elf program at CHLA identifies families in need during the holidays. Most of these families have at least one child who suffers from a catastrophic and/or chronic illness such as cancer, heart disease or other severe medical condition. Many of these families can’t afford presents at the holidays. The families selected for the program are asked to submit requests for gifts for the holidays and “elves” are assigned to purchase presents for members of these families. The families have the option whether or not to acknowledge that the gifts were purchased by the “elves”. This year, Pasadena RFC has chosen to sponsor 2 families of 4 people, and will be purchasing gifts for them to be delivered to the hospital for the families to pick up. There will also be opportunities for club members to deliver gifts – stay tuned! Please read below for more information about the program.
The Holiday Elf Program – CHLA’S Shining Example of Family-Centered Care
Having a chronically ill child has a tremendous impact emotionally and financially on the entire family. The Elf Program evolved as an acknowledgement of this fact and makes the holiday season special by embracing each member of the family. The program began in 1993 with sponsorship of 2 families whose children were undergoing bone marrow transplant. By 2005, the Elf Program had expanded to include 315 families, a total of 1600 individuals.
How are the families chosen?
- Our social workers work with families whose children come to Childrens Hospital for their health care needs. Many of the children have life-threatening and/or chronic medical problems.
- For the Elf Program, social workers identify families who are financially unable to provide for themselves and their children during the holiday season. The identified families are approached and invited for inclusion in the Elf Program.
What size families are available for sponsorship?
- Our families are defined as “those individuals living in the same home.” This allows Mom and Dad to receive something, as well as any full-time occupants such as Grandmother or “adopted” cousins.
- Families come in all sizes, from a caregiver and child, to extended families with many relatives living in the primary home.
Who are the sponsors?
- Anyone can sponsor a family. This program began its focus with divisions and work areas at CHLA, but has rapidly spread by word-of-mouth to the community.
- Divisions, departments, and work areas at CHLA sponsor families.
- Individual employees and their families are sponsors.
- Outside organizations and individuals are sponsors.
May we sponsor more than one family?
- Yes!!! Some departments/companies sponsor two or more small families instead of one large family. Others sponsor as many as 10 or more families.
Does the program have any suggestions about what to get for our families? - The elves checklist provides you with the names, gender, age, size and wishes for each family you sponsor.
- The majority of families request warm clothing for the children. (For health/safety reasons, please no used clothing, toys, or electrical appliances.)
- Please do not feel obligated to fulfill all wishes; some can be involved or expensive. Any gift you give will be most appreciated.
- Gift certificates to local grocery stores are always a welcome gift. (Please keep in mind that many of our families do not have refrigerators or stoves.)
May I support the program by writing a check?
- YES! Your check is tax-deductible and 100% will go toward sponsoring these families. Volunteer shoppers will fulfill the wishlists with your donation.
- Make your check out to CHLA with a notation of “Holidays From the Heart Program” in the lower left-hand corner and send c/o Rosalind Grushkin, Holidays From the Heart, mailstop #54.
How do the gifts reach the families?
- Generally, sponsors deliver their gifts to CHLA and the families come later to pick up the gifts.
- In some instances, if agreeable to the sponsored family, arrangements are made for the sponsor to meet the family here at CHLA.
This information is intended to help you enjoy your participation in the Elf Program. If you have any further questions, please contact Rosalind Grushkin at (323) 660-2450 x4930 or by e-mail at rgrushkin@chla.usc.edu.
Elf Program Sponsor Guidelines
Thank you for participating in the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Elf Program. You will receive paperwork listing the names of all people in the family, their sizes, and suggestions of their needs/wishes. Also written is the name of your Elf Coordinator… this is your volunteer liaison who will answer any questions you might have about your family. This Elf Coordinator will also help coordinate the drop-off of your gifts and the pick-up by the family.
We are suggesting that between $50 – $150 be spent on each family member. Also, we recommend that each child in the family receive approximately the same number of gifts.
- No used items (clothes, household goods, electronics).
- No food…. Please provide grocery store gift certificates instead.
- No cash…. Again, please provide gift certificates in lieu of cash.
- Our Elf Program’s “North Pole” houses gifts for literally hundreds of people, and we use the patient’s name to stay organized. Please, please label each wrapped gift with both the family name, which is the first and last name of the patient, as well as the name of the recipient. (example: “Chris Smith Family, For: Paula Smith”)
For many families, this will be the only holiday that they receive gifts, and for some of our patients, this will be their last holiday season. For this reason, we ask that you contact your Elf Coordinator if you run into any difficulties with this responsibility; the Elf Program will happily assist.
Again, thank you SO much.