AFL-CIO Community Services seeks volunteers for Adopt-A-Family

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The AFL-CIO Community Services is looking for volunteers in December to assist with various aspects of its Adopt-A-Family Christmas program.

Interested volunteers are encouraged to email Ashley Luthans at ashley.luthans@helpmenow.org or call 816-364-1131.

The program has also started using an online system for volunteer registration that can be used to sign up at: https://afl-ciocommunityservices.ivolunteer.com/adoptafamily2026

Once volunteers register, they will receive an email confirmation from iVolunteer and can view their volunteer schedule on the website, along with reminders for scheduled dates and times.

Volunteers are needed:

• 1-5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, to help organize the Gift Room by sorting and organizing gift donations so community members who were not adopted can shop for gifts for their families. The AFL-CIO said it will need 20 volunteers ages 16 and older.
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Thursday, Dec. 17 to Thursday, Dec. 24, to help staff the Gift Room while it is open for shopping.
  • Volunteers will be needed to check families in and out and restock donations. The AFL-CIO said it needs able-bodied volunteers who are flexible and can keep the identities of the people being served confidential.
  • Six to eight volunteers are needed each day, and only adults can volunteer for this position.
• 1-5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18 and Saturday, Dec. 19, to help deliver gifts to shut-ins. Volunteers can deliver as few or as many gifts as time allows.
  • Volunteers will need to use their own vehicle and the agency is needing 10 volunteers to participate in this each day.
• Thursday, Dec. 17 through Wednesday, Dec. 23, volunteers will be needed to hang around the agency building during the Adopt-A-Family Christmas program and take pictures.

"You do not need professional photography experience to qualify for this. We just want some candid shots of the happenings during our AAF program," the agency said in a news release.

Lastly, the agency said it would need a few people who are willing to be "on call," in the event volunteers cancel last minute.