Sycamores Seeks Sponsors for Holiday Family Program

Sycamores, a nonprofit founded in Pasadena with facilities in Pasadena and Altadena, is seeking donors to sponsor families through its 2026 Adopt-A-Family holiday program.

In an October announcement, the organization invited individuals, businesses and community groups to provide toys, clothing, household items, food and grocery gift cards for families experiencing financial hardship. Sycamores said rising costs for groceries, gasoline and other necessities are putting additional pressure on household budgets. 

Under the program, sponsors receive a brief description of a participating family’s circumstances and a wish list of requested items. Donors can choose to support a small, medium or large family, according to the organization’s holiday giving information. 

Sycamores reports that past donors have spent an average of $50 per family member, plus $50 to $100 for a gift intended for the entire household. Those amounts are reported averages rather than stated minimum contributions. 

“The holidays are an opportunity to show families in our community who are struggling that they matter,” Sycamores President and CEO Debra Manners said in the organization’s October newsletter. 

The family sponsorship initiative operates alongside Sycamores’ annual toy drive, which collects gifts for children ages 0 to 18. The organization also accepts gift cards and monetary donations to support its holiday programs. 

In a January 2026 recap, Sycamores reported that 62 families received personalized gifts through Adopt-A-Family during the 2025 holiday season. Its separate toy drive provided gifts and gift cards to more than 2,100 children and young adults across its programs that year.

The nonprofit’s connection to Pasadena dates to 1902, when Fannie Rowland founded the Pasadena Children’s Training Society. The organization expanded to Altadena in 1967 with the opening of a residential treatment center. 

Today, Sycamores maintains an office at 851 N. Oakland Ave. in Pasadena and operates its El Nido residential campus in Altadena. Its services include behavioral health treatment, residential care and support for children, young adults and families throughout Southern California. 

Individuals and organizations interested in participating can complete the Holiday Participation Form at www.sycamores.org/holidays-magic or contact Melissa Pittson at (626) 517-2434. Sycamores has not published an Adopt-A-Family sponsorship deadline or a projected number of participating families for 2026.