By RYAN SKAITH
The AFL-CIO Adopt-A-Family Christmas program is in its 42nd year and is seeking donations to help area families this holiday season.
Executive Director of AFL-CIO Community Services, Nichi Seckinger, says there are plenty of families who have already applied to be adopted. "We have over 880 families in the system as of right now. Of those families, 385 have already been adopted."
Those seeking adoption have until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 to pick up applications or download them. Applications must be submitted no later than Monday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. to be considered for adoption. Seckinger says no applications will be taken after that deadline.
Applications can be found at helpmenow.org/adopt-a-family.
Seckinger says, "People were pretty proactive this year and turned in applications early. With the time remaining, we're expecting to see over 900 families who qualify for adoption."
For anyone who would like to adopt a family, Seckinger says, "A good portion of the families provide lists of what they need. A lot are basic needs like clothing for the kids, undergarments and diapers."
According to Seckinger, seniors and disabled adults who have applied for the program often need hygiene items and cleaning supplies, such as laundry detergent, toilet paper, and paper towels.
For families with children, Seckinger recommends donations of toys and books.
Information from AFL-CIO indicates the estimated cost to adopt one child under 5 is $50; $75 - $80 for children age 5 - 12; and $75 - $100 is common for teens.
Adopters are asked to provide at least one new gift per child. Any additonal items for the children and gifts for the parents are at the adopter's discretion.
Monetary donations are also needed and the agency uses the money to purchase gift cards and food vouchers to help supplement those families who are not chosen for public adoption.
Seckinger says AFL-CIO also hosts a gift room, "About a third of our families are not publically adopted and they can shop in the gift room from Dec. 17 till Christmas Eve. We serve families right up to the very end."
AFL-CIO serves eighteen counties throughout Missouri and Doniphan County in Kansas. Seckinger says each year the program helps about 3,000 people. "We've been doing this 1983, and we keep track of the numbers. After this year, we are on track to have helped over 100,000 people."
Anyone who would like to adopt a family can stop by AFL-CIO office located at 1203 North 6th Street in St. Joseph. Hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. The office is also open Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13, and 20 from 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. For more information, call the agency at 816-341-1131.