The Great Lakes IT Report is "adopting" a charity for the holiday season, and we're hoping we can get companies in technology, the life sciences, advanced manufacturing and associated services to "adopt" a bunch of needy families.

Volunteers of America's "Adopt A Family" program matches families and seniors in need with individuals and corporate sponsors who adopt them for the holidays, providing new clothes, toys for children and an all-out Christmas dinnner to those who otherwise would not be able to celebrate the holiday due to their hardships.

You can adopt a family two ways.

One is "direct adoption." If you prefer a personal, hands-on experience, through direct adoption you receive a family or senior profile and wish list. Using their information you do the shopping and deliver the items to your adoptee. Families differ in size from small families with a single mom, dad or grandparent with one child to families with multiple children. Based on your ability to sponsor, we will match you with a family in need.

Adopt A Family also accepts cash donations, which are combined with other gifts and used to adopt additional families for the Christmas holiday. Your gift of any amount will help ensure a wonderful holiday for someone in need.

In 2007, Adopt A Family served more than 3,000 families including 13,000 children across the state of Michigan. This year, the organization has a goal of 4,000 families and 16,000 children. Heck, given the IT Report's daily e-mail blast to 20,000 addresses, I figure just us GLITR folks can give them that goal.

The basic rule of thumb is that it costs $150 to adopt a family of four for Christmas consisting of two adults and two children -- $20 per kid for an entertaining toy, $30 per kid for warm clothing, $50 for the dinner.

So whaddya say, Compuware? How about it, EDS and IBM and Syntel? And how about all you small software developers out there? And ConnecTech and Ann Arbor Spark and Southwest Michigan First and aimWest? Care to join me in adopting a family or two (or hopefully more like 1,000)?

We'll be providing more details soon on our effort. For now, you can always visit www.voami.org or call (248) 353-4862 and review your options. And be sure to tell 'em the Great Lakes IT Report sent you.