The Adopt A Family tradition is very special to all of us here at Atlantic. The holidays are the time of year traditionally known for spending time being close with your family, cooking together and indulging in extravagant meals, or even shopping the big sales to get great deals on presents for family and friends both near and far. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case for many families in communities spanning all over the country. Many families struggle day to day to make ends meet and the holidays become stressful instead of enjoyable.

Here at Atlantic, we wanted to use our large network that also spans across the country to provide some relief to those that may be struggling by searching our local communities and offering to support a family during the holiday season. Eleven Atlantic locations were honored to carry this truly touching annual tradition for its second year: Napa Valley, CA (APC), Bridgeport, CT (BDR), Burbank, CA (BUR), El Paso, TX (ELP), Farmingdale, NY (FRG), Orlando, FL (MCO), Kansas City, MO (MKC), Montrose, CO (MTJ), Reno, NV (RNO), Stewart, NY (SWF), and Tucson, AZ (TUS).

Each location found a family in need or worked with local community assistance programs to provide support throughout the holiday season using Atlantic-allocated funds. Most of these locations found a specific family that was struggling and was able to provide them with a Thanksgiving meal, asked for their Christmas wish list, bought those presents they needed or wanted the most, and blessed them with their gifts just before the big day. Although it can be challenging to measure, over 35 children were given presents that they otherwise wouldn’t have received thanks to our employees and their dedication to helping others. Many families received a Christmas meal as well.

Atlantic BDR chose to help a family struggling to stay off the streets after losing their jobs, their cars, and their home due to health issues. They now can rest a bit easier after receiving items that will make day-to-day living in a hotel much easier and cost effective. Atlantic MKC chose to help many families in need by providing presents to a local community organization’s Family Christmas Shop. This shop is opened to families living in extreme poverty so that parents can come through and pick out an item for each of their children at no cost to them. Atlantic MCO found an incredible organization locally that helps adolescent moms. The family they helped this year is a teen mom who is getting the support and assistance she needs to finish high school and will continue to get support beyond as well.

Sue Sommers, Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Atlantic shares, “Each year it’s so heartwarming and rewarding for our employees to participate in this special tradition. Many are able to meet directly with the families they are supporting, and the joy and excitement of the families is something they will never forget. We are all so honored to help and to share these special moments with them during the holidays.”

Atlantic looks forward to broadening the Adopt A Family tradition in the coming years and hopes to extend support to even more families year over year. All of our locations that participated this year are so grateful for this opportunity. They found that even during hardships and struggles, as long as we stick together and support each other, we can bring each other through to a better tomorrow. After all, that is what being a community is all about.