ARROAutism Family Holiday Assistance Project

Winter holidays can be challenging for many families, and those affected by autism often face additional burdens. Some struggle to afford enough food to last through the month, while others cannot provide holiday gifts for their children. Autism can also bring added stressors, such as behavioral meltdowns and heightened anxiety. Right now the uncertainties and disruptions in all the resources on which these families rely heavily are compounding the strain even further.

Winter holidays are meant to be a time of joy, sharing meals, celebrating family traditions, and enjoying the warmth of togetherness. Sadly, for many families living with autism, this is not the reality.

Autism Research and Resources of Oregon (ARRO) is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization working to support individuals and families with members with Autism. Tax ID 93-1287227. Our website is: ARROAutism.org.

Working to address these issues, ARRO created the Family Holiday Assistance Project in 2007. The funds raised will purchase Kroger gift cards for families living with Autism who are in need. These families are chosen from among Social Services in Oregon and Southwest Washington as being the most in need. One of our families sent us a Thank You note that said, “It was such an unexpected and beautiful gift, and one that was much needed. We are so grateful!”

In 2024 we assisted 781 families with Fred Meyer gift cards so they could buy food, clothing, and small gifts. There are over 16,000 families with Autism in Oregon and SW Washington. We want to help more families this year and we need your help!

You can make an incredible difference for these families by making a donation to the Autism Research & Resources of Oregon, ARROAutism Family Holiday Assistance Project.

Please donate today!

The Family Holiday Assistance Project

That’s where we come in. ARROAutism established this project in 2007 to assist families during the holidays. At the beginning, each family was individually evaluated, and the amount of assistance rendered was based on funds available, and on need.
By 2009 we realized that the need for assistance was far greater than initially realized, so the program was changed to provide a standard amount to each family identified by the county developmental disabilities programs. This has also helped us to reach more than 3,800 families in need!

2007 : 2 Families Helped (special assistance)
2008 : Families Helped (special assistance)
2009 : 43 Families Helped with Gift Cards
2010 : 77 Families Helped with Gift Cards
2011 : 42 Families Helped with Gift Cards
2012 : 20 Families Helped with Gift Cards Plus Donations of Toys
2013 : 52 Families Helped with Gift Cards Plus Donations of Toys
2014 : 80 Families Helped with Gift Cards Plus Donations of Toys
2015 : 100 Families Helped with Gift Cards Plus Donations of Toys
2016 : 150 Families Helped with Gift Cards Plus Donations of Toys
2017 : 182 Families in Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas Counties (combined)
2018 : 218 Families in Washington, Multnomah, Clackamas and Clark counties (combined)
2019 : 276 Families in Washington, Multnomah, Clackamas and Clark counties (combined)
2020 : 244 Families in Washington, Multnomah, Clackamas and Clark counties (combined) (Take that, Covid-19)
2021 : 312 Families in Washington, Multnomah, Clackamas and Clark counties (combined)
2022 : 517 Families
2023 : 773 Families

2024 : 781 Families!!!

2025: Our Fundraising Goal is $200,ooo. A distribution of the total amount raised across 750 Families. (The more money raised, the greater amount each family receives up to $200, and/or increased # of families assisted or both!)

With your help, we can achieve our goal to help more families with Autism in Oregon and SW Washinton who need help during the holidays.

So far, our Family Holiday Assistance Project has helped more than 3,867 families in Oregon and SW Washington.

How Families are Selected

Families in Oregon are nominated by their County Developmental Disabilities Program Case Manager. Washington State’s County DD programs have no such partnership option. Instead, we rely on a local non-profit, Peace NW, operating in SW Washington to help us allocate resources.

Washington State currently has no equivalent numbers available, but we are still able to help families in 5 SW Washington Counties including Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania, and Wahkiakum.

Selected families are then given a gift card from Fred Meyer’s to allow a variety of purchases, to allow a variety of purchases like food, toys and winter clothing.

The number of families receiving these cards will depend on the amount of funding raised. All families selected will have one or more members with some form of Autism.

Make a Difference!

Our families need your help! Please donate today so that we can make their holiday brighter!

All donations are gratefully accepted no matter what the amount is. Please make your donation today!