The Christmas Store

Saturday afternoon was our Christmas Plunge, The Christmas Store, at Jefferson School. I'm sitting at my keyboard and cannot seem to put the day into words. It was a REALLY SPECIAL day. Parents were able to provide Christmas for their families, kids made gifts for their parents, families were brought closer by their experience.

Here's what 97 families experienced:

Each parent or set of parents had a CWC volunteer assigned who spent time with them. The volunteer helped them shop for their kids, answered questions, asked questions, held gifts, and made them feel comfortable. We had a crew of CWC volunteers help wrap approximately 800 gifts! There were hugs, tears, and many thank you’s. One single mother shared how hard it has been for her kids since their father committed suicide four months ago. This was their opportunity for Christmas.

Each child also had a CWC volunteer assigned who helped them choose donated gifts to give to their parents. They also worked together to make crafts to give to the parents which were then wrapped for them. It was quite wonderful to see our folks sitting at tables with huge smiles making kids laugh!

Once each group was finished the family reunited in another location where they decorated cookies and made additional crafts. Here families were able to work together, sharing in laughter and just stopping to spend some time together. CWC volunteers also helped facilitate activities here. At one point a single mom got up and starting shooting a basketball by herself. You should have seen her kids’ faces! They joined her and had a ball!

As the families left, which for some was two hours later, they were able to choose a family portrait setting. There was a traditional setting, a Christmas scene with a tree and brick wall, and a manger scene. Each family will be sent an 8x10 print once our experienced photographers edit the photos.

This alone was a wonderful day, but what overwhelms me is the 140 plus CWC volunteers who served by standing in the cold directing traffic, singing carols in the entry, working registration, stocking the snack table, and making our guests feel loved. Also the close to 500 gifts donated by our generous congregation. And the close to 60 people who helped sort toys and then set up the store on Friday night and Saturday morning. It was wonderful to see Central folks talking and getting to know each other better, and meeting people for the first time as they served together.

On Saturday CWC conducted church at Jefferson School. Just a reminder the church isn't the building, it's the people.

Chris Hofland