Shopping for those who need ‘extra help’

For 25 years New Ulm’s veterinary center has participated in the Adopt a Family program.

“It’s something we look forward to every year,” vet center employee Jodi Runck said. “It feels good to give back to our community and give to those who may need a little extra help during the Christmas season.”

Runck said each year, she received a letter from Brown County asking for the clinic to participate. Then in October, the clinic is matched with a Brown County family in need. Runck said it is kept anonymous. They never know who is receiving the donations, just how many people are in the family and what they need.

“Then I put out an envelope at the office for people to donate,” Runck said. “Once we have enough money, we shop for the family.”

New Ulm Regional Veterinary Center have their gifts wrapped and ready send to Brown County Human Services “Adopt a Family” program.
The Front sitting: Jamie Holm, Ashley Weber back: Jodi Runck, Dr. Nancy Peterson, Cindy Bode and Dr. Nathan Marti

“There is always a handful of us doing the shopping and wrapping,” she said. “We meet after work and shop for three hours. Family Services are great about telling us what the family they needs.

This year the clinic shopped for a family of four; two parents, a boy and a girl. The family needed a vacuum, shampoo, bed sheets, clothes, shoes, socks and other household items.

The vet center tries shopping about 10 days before the presents needed to believed. That gives them time to wrap the gifts and returned them to family services.

Runck said because the clinic has been doing this for 25 years, it is well oiled system and they always make the deadline.

One thing that has changed in the 25 years is the cost. Runck said in the first year, the clinic was able to raise $350 to buy for Adopt a family.

“We thought that was good,” she said but now with the economy the need is greater. This year the clinic was able to raise $725.

New Ulm Regional Veterinary Center is only one business helping with Adopt a Family. Laura Whittington, the Services Supervisor for Brown County Human Services said the program has 43 donors this year.

“We collect referrals from workers in our offices and public assistance who could use additional help for holiday,” Whittington said. Typically between 60 and 65 families are helped each year.

Whittington said since the program began it has continued to expand.

“We do more now than we ever use to because there is more need,” she said.

Runck praised Human Services for organizing the program.

“I am always amazed how much they do and how many are in need. I am just glad we can help.”