With Christmas nearing, members of the Widener Law Community are once again offering a helping hand to those in need. The annual Widener Law Center and Clinic Adopt a Family Program has chosen three deserving families from the <a href="/Academics/ClinicalProgramsandProfessionalTraining/Clinics/DelawareCivilLawClinic.aspx">Delaware Civil Law Clinic</a> in need to provide with food, clothing, and toys for Christmas. In addition, for the first time, the program is also adopting three veterans from the <a href="/Academics/ClinicalProgramsandProfessionalTraining/Clinics/VeteransLawClinic.aspx">Veterans Law Clinic</a>.<br><br>The Adopt a Family Program offers members of the Widener Law community a wonderful opportunity to provide hope during the holiday season.<br><br>The first adopted family consists of a single mother of two, a 3-year old son and a 1-year old daughter. She lives under a threat from the children’s emotionally and physically abusive father, but has asked that all gifts be directed towards her children.<br><br>The second family consists of a single mother and her three children – a 6-year old daughter, a 2-year old son, and a 1-year old son. The abusive father is awaiting trial on felony charges.<br><br>The third family is a mother and her six children, who often had to watch their father beat their mother. Her twin 19-year old sons are working their way through college while trying to help the family any way they can. Her daughters are 17, 14, 13, and 5.<br><br>The first veteran served in the Army during the 1970s, and is unemployed due to his disability. A widower whose wife passed away from cancer, he lives with his 14-year old son. He has asked for grocery store certificates to Acme or Pathmark.<br><br>The second soldier is a new client to the clinic who served in the Army during the Vietnam era. He too is unemployed and his income consists solely of the Social Security Disability Insurance and a very small pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a positive and kind person who recently took time to participate in a photo shoot for an upcoming brochure on the law school clinics.<br><br>Finally, The Veterans Law Clinic has been fortunate to have the help of a dedicated volunteer this past semester. This disabled veteran has volunteered many hours to the Clinic. He takes public transportation to get to Widener, and he has been putting in full-time hours to advance the cases of disabled and underprivileged veterans. He is a spirited and hardworking individual who could be benefited by support from our community. He recently was able to move into his own place, but he has very little. He can use grocery gift certificates to Acme, a used couch, and dinette set.<br><br>Students, faculty, staff, and friends of the Law Center are encouraged to bring new clothing and toys or very gently used items to the Registrar’s office by Monday, December 20th. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the Registrar’s Office. Faculty and staff are also encouraged to participate in a “wrapping” party on Tuesday, December 21st. Information about what to donate for the adopted families can be obtained from Dottie Hemphill in the registrar’s office.