AFL-CIO Adopt-A-Family applications to open for ‘adopters’
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- AFL-CIO Community Serves announced when the community can begin adopting families for its annual Adopt-A-Family program.
The Adopt-A-Family program has been serving St. Joseph for over 40 years, where donors have provided gifts for over 96,000 local individuals.
Adopters will be able to sign up on Friday, Nov. 14. Anyone interested in adopting can stop by the agency's office at 1203 N. 6th St., call 816-364-1131, fax 866-591-8565 or email adopt@helpmenow.org.
Since 1983, the program has been helping single parents to put gifts under the tree for their children, making it possible for ill parents to concentrate on regaining their health instead of worrying about gifts, allowing the unemployed to look for work without fretting about affordability during the holidays and providing basic staples for seniors and disabled adults living with a tight budget.
In a news release, AFL-CIO Executive Director Nichi Seckinger describes what the program means to local families.
"When they are given gifts, it says to them, 'You matter, someone noticed and someone cares.' We know this because they tell our staff year after year. They hug us because they can't hug the adopter," said Seckinger. "They cry because they are overwhelmed by the generosity they have received."
Seckinger even said, families who are adopted over the holidays even give back to the program when circumstances change.
For adopters who haven't adopted before, the AFL-CIO said the estimated cost to adopt one child under the age of 10 is $50. A child 11 and older normally averages $75 to $100. Adopters are asked to provide at least one new toy per child.
Any additional items for the children and any gifts for the parents are at the adopter's discretion. The program includes several single adults as well, who live in residential care facilities and are unable to afford basic necessities and may have no other form of financial support.
The AFL-CIO said senior adoptions average $75 to $100.
The agency is also accepting donations of toys and personal gifts for all ages for the gift room.
Monetary donations can be made through the website at helpmenow.org, by phone using a credit or debit card, or in person at the agency.
All monetary donations will be used to purchase items for families who are not chosen by an adopter.
During the program, the AFL-CIO will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout November. Hours will adjust in December, with the agency being open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
