Opportunities to sign up for SERVE Inc.'s adopt-a-family event are narrowing.
The list will close Oct. 27 for seniors and families wishing to be "adopted" for this holiday tradition, according to Keli Tate, director of operations.
"We've greatly reduced paperwork this year for repeat clients," she said this week. "They've already filled it out in the past, so why make them do it again?"
Lucky families who are adopted receive items donated by the community, and a Christmas dinner with all the fixings purchased by SERVE at a reduced rate from Moser's, a local supermarket in Callaway County. The meal still costs about $60, including a ham or turkey and desert.
"The expenses associated with this program have become more and more demanding," Tate added.
Nearly 100 seniors and disabled people last year were adopted. So far this year, about 140 families have been accepted. No one is turned away who signs up by the registration deadline.
Adopt A Family Sponsorships are being offered this year to help defray costs.
Platinum sponsor: $2,000. Includes your logo featured the month of December on a banner above the Ninth and Bluff street road and on a SERVE Transportation bus during the 70th Annual Christmas Parade on Dec. 1. Also, Santa will ride the SERVE bus to you company and deliver a pizza party to your staff or patrons (Brooklyn Pizza), personalized ornament on the SERVE tree in the Festival of Lights, and more.
Gold sponsor: $1,000. Logo on street banner and SERVE bus, plus a visit from Santa to your company to take a staff photo and personalized ornament for SERVE tree.
Silver sponsor: $500. Logo on SERVE bus, visit from Santa and picture, and SERVE tree ornament.
Bronze sponsor: $250. Visit to your company from Santa and picture, plus ornament for SERVE tree.
Adopt a Family is 100 percent financed by community donations. For more sponsorship information, contact Tate at 573-642-8388.