Rady School of Management Adopts 10 Families for the Holidays

Kerri Peckham | December 17, 2007

Rady organizers Traci Doddy, Jill Gibson and Lea Sapinoso prepare to deliver gifts and donations to the families adopted by the Rady School.

This holiday season, the Rady School of Management worked with SAY San Diego, a local nonprofit, to adopt ten families in need for the holidays. There were more than 80 participants including Rady School Dean Bob Sullivan, staff, faculty and students. More than 250 gifts and nearly $1,000 in gift cards were collected for the families.

This was a collaborative effort among all of the Rady School community. SAY San Diego helped the families compile an online wish list, which was then assigned to a group of faculty, staff and students. Participants purchased requested items or donated money toward gift cards.

For families who struggle to make basic ends meet, it is common for them to have no extra spending money for a holiday meal or presents for their children. All of the adopted families have children and gifts for them ranged from portable CD players to a new bicycle. Parents had very simple requests, such as sweaters and new shoes. In addition, families received gift cards to grocery and retail store to help them purchase everyday items that they sometimes have to forego due to financial hardship.

Some of the gifts donated for the families the Rady School adopted during this holiday season.

The Rady School effort was spearheaded by staff member Jill Gibson, who has also organized past Rady community outreach projects, such as a beach clean up and food bank service. She and other Rady staff delivered the gifts to SAY San Diego’s office, in time for distribution to the families.

“This was a way for the school to give back to families in our community who are in need this holiday season,” said Gibson. “We are pleased that the Rady School can help make the holidays a little brighter for these 10 families.”