By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
AFL-CIO Community Services has seen a massive milestone hit with the Adopt-A-Family Christmas program following the conclusion of the program at the end of last month.
After 43 years of serving families around northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas, the program has now assisted more than 100,000 individuals, providing holiday supporting to families and individuals in need during the Christmas season.
The Adopt-A-Family program began in 1983 following a heartfelt request shared on local radio. A K-Jo DJ encouraged listeners to consider adopting real people in need for Christmas rather than popular holiday toys like Cabbage Patch Kids. The first year, 243 individuals were adopted through the program.
Since its inception, the Adopt-A-Family program has connected thousands of donors with families and individuals in need, ensuring that children wake up to gifts on Christmas morning and households have essential items during the holiday season. Each year, community members, businesses, and volunteers come together to provide gifts, clothing, food, and household necessities, reinforcing the spirit of generosity and solidarity that defines the program.
For more information about the Adopt-A-Family program or to learn how to get involved, visit the agency’s website at www.helpmenow.org.
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