CINCINNATI — The holiday season is now in full swing, which happens to be Ava Henry’s favorite time of the year. 

What You Need To Know

  • The National Retail Federation expects consumer spending to reach a record high this holiday season, averaging $902 per person

  • The Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati's Adopt-A-Family program supports families and seniors in need for the holiday season

  • Madeira High School has been a partner with the program for 10 years

“I really enjoy getting gifts, but I also love giving gifts. That's my favorite part,” Henry said. 

She’s a senior at Madeira High School and is the historian for their National Honor Society. 

For the last 10 years, the group has partnered with the Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati for their Adopt-A-Family Program.

“We were able to read through all the stories of the families. That was really meaningful because you don’t really think about families not being able to have what we’ve had every single Christmas,” Henry said.  

The program connects referred families and seniors in need with companies or individual sponsors. Maj. Martha Bone of the Salvation Army said what makes this initiative special is that it wraps around the entire family. 

“It's not just the children that are getting something under the tree, but maybe the single parent who's raising those children receives something that they normally wouldn't. It’s a really beautiful thing at Christmas time,” Bone said. 

Consumer spending this holiday season is expected to reach a record high, averaging $902 per person, according to the National Retail Federation. 

This year the Salvation Army has seen a 33% increase in families who qualify for assistance, totaling upwards of 600 families. That’s why Bone said they’re now making a call out to the community to lend a helping hand. 

“We are seeing an increase in families that are coming to the Salvation Army in need of rent and mortgage assistance just to stay in their own homes. So with inflation, which I think we're all feeling, certainly our neighbors that are in crisis and in great need are seeing it,” Bone said.

Proceeds from NHS' annual father-daughter dance allowed the group to adopt 20 families. Whether its toys, clothes, or even food, students told us that being able to put a smile on someone's face makes all their hard work worth it. 

“Thinking back to when I initially joined the National Honor Society and went for a leadership position, I was motivated by giving back because it means a lot to me,” Madeira High School National Honor Society President Owen Dixon said.  

“You never know what someone's life story is. You never know how someone's doing or how someone might need help. It's really special to be able to be a part of this,” Henry said.  

Along with that increase in need, The Salvation Army told us they still have 90 families on a wait list. 

Madeira High School has helped a total of 140 families over the 10 years they’ve partnered with the program. 

Area residents and local organizations looking to adopt a family can click here.