Christmas Store Drive Ramping Up
If you're like me, December still seems ages away and Christmas shopping isn't on my radar. But for the folks at the Montgomery County Christmas Store, this is the time for stocking the shelves.
The Christmas Store is a nonprofit, wholly volunteer run endeavor to provide a place where people with demonstrated need can shop for gifts with dignity. Since 1982 when the first group met to try to find a way to share the holiday spirit to the low income citizens of the county, the store has provided a place to shop for their families. Last year 1300+ families were given the opportunity to shop to make Christmas morning a special time.
Unlike other organizations that include a "shopping" experience with used items, the 1000+ volunteers come together to make sure that the shopping experience is full of wonderful new, with-tags items. There's something magical for a child to be able to rip open a new box and unpackage their toys on Christmas morning. In fact 1899 teens and children received gifts that were picked out for them by their parents shopping at the Christmas Store.
But it's not just the children that are touched. Last year 919 seniors and disabled adults received much needed clothing and shoes.
And what's Christmas morning with gifts if not holiday food and staples as well? Last year 3800+ family members were given food baskets appropriate to their family size to make sure that the season of feasting wasn't a time of not-enough.
The Christmas spirit keeps giving and the Christmas Store is the way to do it.
The Store can take your tax deductable monetary donations and turn them into much needed items for the store, purchased by experienced buyers who know how to stretch a dollar and have contacts both with local stores and to buy at bulk prices.
Or if you're interested in donating specific items this year, they are currently in need of new, with-tags items in the following categories:
Hats, gloves (especially waterproof for kids), socks, and underwear - in all sizes for all ages
Senior/Adult clothing - especially 2x and larger sized
Toys (all ages)
Teen gifts
School supplies
Books
Household consumable items (detergent, toiletries, etc)
The store is open to drop off donations starting November 2 from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays until Dec 1. Beginning November 25, they are open every day from 9:00am-4:00pm, except Thanksgiving Day.
If you know someone who might qualify to shop at the Christmas Store, invite them to go to an Eligibility Session to see if they qualify:
1 pm - 4 pm Sunday, November 10
5 pm - 7 pm Tuesday - Thursday · November 12 - 14
9 am - 1 pm Saturday, November 16 Saturday, November 30
Applicants are asked to bring identification for all household members, proof of address, and proof of all household income including SNAP cards or award letter if possible.
Please go to the website at www.mcchristmasstore.org for more information. You can also visit the Montgomery County Christmas Store Facebook page.
