The Christmas Bureau does encourage sponsors to call the family, and ask them what they want for Christmas. This is a good way for the sponsors to find out exactly what kind of people they are dealing with from the start. We have had a few cases of the "needy" family making outrageous demands for Christmas. If this turns out to be the case, then the sponsor brings us back the application, and we help them find another family to sponsor. Christmas Bureau then calls the family that got dumped, and tells them the reason that they're sponsor rejected them. This is one way that we separate the cheaters from those that are truly needy.
In my opinion, the Christmas Bureau is a well-run organization. Your organization sounds like a good one too, though. God bless you for remembering those who are less fortunate!