LODI ADOPT-A-CHILD, INC.
a California Nonprofit Organization
Lodi Adopt A Child’s mission is to assist underprivileged youth in the community with the resources and support needed to enjoy everyday life and to provide and promote opportunities from which each child may benefit.
(209) 333-1056
Newsletter - March 2026
Assisting underprivileged youth in the community with the resources and support needed to enjoy everyday life and to provide and promote opportunities from which each child may benefit.
37 Years and Counting
The Lodi Adopt-A-Child Foundation began as an idea of a Lodi Police Officer to help disadvantaged children that attend Lodi Unified School District. During 1989 he gathered a few friends and other officers and began soliciting donations to purchase gifts for the children he and other police officers learned of during the course of their duties. During Christmas of 1989 these fellow police officers, their families and friends held a Christmas Party for 30 of these children and their families at a local restaurant. Santa Claus, played by a Lodi Firefighter, handed the gifts out to the delight of these children and their parents. The families then had a traditional Christmas Dinner, which was prepared by these same police officer families and friends.
In the beginning Lodi Adopt-A-Child was just a children’s Christmas program. Since then, Lodi Adopt-A-Child has added multiple programs to assist children in need helping the less fortunate children of our community with clothing and after-school activities, including those mentioned in this newsletter. 100% of all contributions have always gone directly to supporting the children. Our sole purpose of existence is to help children realize that there is hope; No matter what!
Thank You
In December, we provided gifts to over 900 children, including over 200 bicycles and 100 electric scooters, for our 2025 Christmas Wish Program. Thank you to over 100 volunteers, 225 sponsors (who took Angel Cards and purchased gifts) and all the people who made cash, check and online donations who made it all possible. We could not do this without your help.
More information will be available in the fall when we do it all over again for our 2026 Christmas Wish Program.
Claude Brown Memorial Scholarships
Applications are open until April 10!
Claude Brown, an area native, was an engineer, designer and innovator of agricultural manufacturing equipment for the wine-growing industry. He supported numerous local organizations and served on multiple board of directors including Micke Grove Zoological Society, the San Joaquin County Historical Society, the Mokelumne Fire Department and Lodi Adopt-A-Child, including 2 years as our President,
Inspired by the compassionate and tireless work of a community icon and former LAAC President, the Claude Brown Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019. In his honor, Lodi Adopt-A-Child offers $1,000 college scholarships to graduating seniors at Lodi High School and Tokay High School who are pursuing a career in Agriculture or Engineering.
Applications can be completed online or downloaded from our website, here: www.lodiadoptachild.org/claude-brown-memorial-scholarship. Unlike many of our programs, these scholarships do not require income verification. Applications must be completed by April 10, 2026 and will be awarded in early May.
If you have any questions, contact us at scholarships@lodiadoptachild.org or call us at 209-333-1056.
See Us Around The Community
Look for us out and about in the community this year. We want to make sure that people know who we are and what we’re doing for children in Lodi. Stop by and see us. Ask us how we help children in need, and ask how you can help us, help them.
Lodi Adopt-A-Child at the WOW Museum's Birthday Party - March 1st
At the Love Lodi Community Picnic, April 25th at Hutchins Street Square Park
Mural painted as part of Love Lodi 2024
More events... coming soon
Activity Scholarships
All year long
Lodi Adopt-A-Child offers scholarships to help children from qualified families participate in local sports, art, and music programs through BOBS and Play Lodi, music lessons through Sayla Music, and drama classes with Changing Faces Theater Company. Scholarships cover registration fees and required equipment or supplies—ensuring every child has the chance to grow, play and express themselves.
If you're interested or would like more information:
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Sports other activities with Play Lodi and BOBS – Contact Community Partnership for Families of San Joaquin County (CPFSJ) at 209-269-8262.
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Drama classes – Contact Changing Faces Theater Company at 209-747-8043 or MBartram.CFTC@comcast.net.
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Music lessons – Contact Sayla Music Academy at 209-981-4303 or info@saylamusicacademy.com.
Scholarships are available for children up to 17 years old and are subject to income requirements (similar to those for our Christmas Wish Program).
If you have any questions, contact us at scholarships@lodiadoptachild.org or call us at 209-333-1056.
Hope Outfitters
Providing clothing for children in need
Through our Hope Outfitters program, Lodi Adopt a Child provides new clothing and shoes to children in need —helping them during the school year with confidence and dignity. Each child receives what they need to feel comfortable and proud. It’s more than just clothing—it’s about giving kids a sense of hope, belonging, and self-worth.
To learn more or find out how you can support this program, please contact hopeoutfitters@lodiadoptachild.org.