The Rural Outreach Center (ROC) will be providing approximately 30 families and individuals with Christmas gifts this holiday season, families that otherwise would be struggling with the heavy financial burden of the holidays.
Each year, families who are engaged with The ROC for at least six months and meet eligibility guidelines are able to submit holiday wishlists for each child in the household as well as items and gift cards that could benefit the entire family. Community members and local businesses sign up to shop for a family, purchasing gifts from the wishlist. These gifts range from the typical kid must-haves (Lego toys are a favorite) to much more basic needs like toiletries, cleaning supplies and socks.
This year, the ROC’s community shoppers delivered wrapped gifts Dec. 16-18. Families will be picking up their gifts on Saturday, Dec. 21, alongside plenty of Christmas cookies and festive cheer.
The Rural Outreach Center serves families and individuals living in rural poverty in southern Western New York. Their mission is to transform lives by breaking the cycle of rural poverty in our region by accompanying people to self-sufficiency. They provide a wide range of services, including counseling, play therapy, care coordination, job readiness and financial literacy. By addressing needs in a holistic manner, The ROC is able to support families and individuals as they work to break the generational cycle of rural poverty and improve their own futures and the futures of their children.
The ROC, located at 730 Olean Road in East Aurora, assists, empowers and elevates the impoverished rural populations in southern Erie County and surrounding areas. The organization’s staff and volunteers serve with compassion, empathy and respect for all people. For children, The ROC’s goal is to break the cycle of multi-generational poverty by providing counseling, play therapy, educational opportunities and growth experiences.
For more information on the good work being done every day by The Rural Outreach Center, please visit http://theroc.co or call (716) 240-2220. You can also follow the organization on Facebook for frequent updates.
