This holiday season, you can make a meaningful difference for a local family — and help every child feel like they belong.
The holidays are a time for making memories, sharing traditions, and enjoying the excitement of the season. But for some families, the extra expense of holiday gifts can make this time of year especially challenging.
That's where a little community kindness can go a long way.
Sweet Friend Foundation is once again bringing neighbors together through its 2026 Holiday Adopt a Family campaign, and this year, 23 families with 43 children at three Pinellas County elementary schools are hoping for a little extra holiday joy.
We're inviting individuals, families, coworkers, and local businesses to join us in making the season brighter for children at Gulfport Montessori Elementary, Mount Vernon Elementary, and Seventy-Fourth Street Elementary.
One Family. A Whole Lot of Holiday Joy.
The idea behind Adopt a Family is simple: connect caring members of the community with local families who could use a little extra help during the holidays.
Each participating family has a personalized listing that includes the ages, clothing and shoe sizes, wish lists, and needs of every child in the household. Community members can browse the listings, choose a family, and make sure every child in that family has something special to open this holiday season.
And here's an important part: Families are adopted as a whole, so every child in the household gets to experience the excitement of the holidays.
Whether you're shopping for a family of one child or five, there's an opportunity to participate at a level that works for your budget. You can also team up with friends, relatives, or coworkers and share the experience.
How to Adopt a Family
Getting involved is easy:
1. Choose a family. Visit our 2026 Adopt a Family Sign-Up and browse the available family listings. Each one includes the information you'll need to shop thoughtfully.
2. Adopt the entire family. Select a family and sign up to provide gifts for every child in the household.
3. Get your holiday shopping guide. Once you've registered, Sweet Friend Foundation will email you a guide with your family's information and everything you need to know about shopping and drop-off.
4. Deliver the holiday magic! Gifts should be new and unwrapped and must be dropped off by Friday, December 11, 2026.
Why It Matters
At Sweet Friend Foundation, we believe every child deserves to feel included, supported, and valued — not just in the classroom, but in the experiences that make childhood special.
Founded in 2023, Sweet Friend Foundation brings community resources directly to public school students and teachers throughout Pinellas County. What began with a commitment to one local school has grown to serve more than ten schools through programs addressing the everyday needs of children and educators.
From providing backpacks and school supplies to donating pumpkins, celebrating birthdays, and helping families during the holidays, our programs are built around a simple belief: no child should have to sit on the sidelines because of what their family can or cannot afford.
The Adopt a Family campaign is one of the most personal ways to put that belief into action.
It's about more than what's underneath the tree. It's about a child knowing someone thought about them, took the time to learn what they like, and wanted them to experience the happiness of the season.
And that's a gift that goes beyond the holidays.
Be Someone's Sweet Friend This Season
With 23 families and 43 children waiting for a little holiday magic, we hope you'll consider joining us.
Choose a family on our Sign-Up Genius page and help make this holiday season a little brighter. If you can't adopt a family on your own, gather a few friends or coworkers and do it together. Every act of generosity makes a difference.
Ready to spread some holiday joy?
Have questions? We'd love to hear from you!
Call Sweet Friend Foundation at 516-510-9579.
Thank you for being part of a community that shows up for its children. Together, we can help every child feel like they belong this holiday season.