On Dec. 17, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program will knock on the doors of at least 500 families living in the Downtown and Skid Row areas of Los Angeles and present gift boxes filled with toys, clothes and household items.

This year is Adopt-A-Family’s 26th year of bringing Christmas to disadvantaged families, but the program will need hundreds of volunteers to make this year a success. Bilingual Spanish volunteers are especially needed to interview families at their homes about their needs and Christmas wishes.

The interview process began on Aug. 18. Volunteers are also needed to assist from Dec. 12 to Dec. 16 with the preparation of gift boxes for each family. On delivery day — Dec. 17 — volunteers will assist Archbishop José H. Gomez with making the door-to-door deliveries.

To volunteer, adopt a family, or for more information, please call (213) 637-7501.