This year, like every holiday season, a family was “adopted” for the holidays by Consumer Directed Choices (CDChoices). However, unlike recent years, CDChoices delivered the gifts to the family in person and took some time to hear their story. The Albany Times Union Newspaper featured CDChoices on December 23, 2022 on page C4, “Helping Out.”

Funded by generous donations from CDChoices employees collected throughout December, the family received a trunk full of gifts for the parents, their son, who has developmental disabilities, and their three grandchildren they are raising. Seeing the impact of CDChoices employees’ generosity was profound for Melissa Groves, Compliance Manager, who delivered the gifts along with Erika Sorgen-Bull, Program Specialist.

“Every year, CDChoices adopts a family for the holidays, but this year was extra special because we got to deliver the presents directly to the family and see for ourselves their joy and gratitude. I knew that our staff is full of very caring, giving people, but seeing what our employee donations were able to do for this family was amazing,” said Groves. “Our employees coming together to give what they can to help this family is what this season is all about.”

Everyone is feeling the impact of inflation and other financial challenges this year, and for a family with a person with disabilities and three young children in the household, it was looking like Christmas would not be in the budget. “Without your help, we would have no Christmas, because times are really hard for my husband and I at this time of year,” the recipient wrote. “Our family will be happy now on Christmas morning thanks to your company.”