325 children in SERVE program still not adopted

With only two weeks remaining in the SERVE, Inc. Adopt A Family program, only 359 of the 684 eligible low-income Callaway children have found donors.

Callaway Action Network Director Julie Roark said funds are still coming in, but SERVE hoped to have donors matched with children by Dec. 14 and approximately 90 percent of applications indicated they would not have a Christmas this year without the program.

"Every year is a little different, but I don't recall in recent years having quite this many not adopted," said Roark. "Last year three quarters of families were taken by adopters, which is a really good year, and I'm hoping some people are just kind of waiting until the last minute and procrastinating before the holidays.

"For anyone procrastinating, I sincerely hope they can do something quickly."

The majority of children in the program are under 12. There are additionally 103 disabled or elderly adults who have yet to be adopted through the program as of Friday.

Monetary donations have helped, Roark said, but an additional $22,000 is needed to make sure Christmas comes for the remaining children and adults. Less actual monetary funds would be required if more children and adults are adopted or if more gifts such as new toys and clothing are donated.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.