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Strengthening and Supporting Families in Need
Strengthening and supporting families in need means more than just giving material gifts at Christmas. It also means giving parents the resources, the encouragement, the pride and dignity to be able to provide for their family.
One single mother of three shared that as a last resort, she allowed her children to participate in an Adopt-a-Family program. She said, “When the precious family brought the gifts, they read the Bible story, prayed and sang; however, inside I was embarrassed and humiliated, not by them, but because I could not provide for my children. Christmas morning, my children were excited and blessed as they opened the presents. I did not know what my kids were getting, nor did I get to choose, wrap, or do anything for them. I was excited for them, but inside I was dying. This is why I love The Christmas Store. I still needed help, but I got to choose for my kids. This year, I had their list and found everything they wanted. I even had money to buy some surprises. Thank you so much for having The Christmas Store!”
Empowering families has always been a walk of faith. The first year, we had less than $250 to launch The Store. We knew it would take $40,000 in merchandise to stock the store, but the day it was to open, we were $13,000 short. That afternoon, a truck rolled in with $10,000 worth of toys. The Lord reminded us that this was His ministry and that He would provide for it.
Each year for the past 12 years, the Lord has provided one miracle after another to meet the needs of the families who come to shop. This year will not be an exception, as we anticipate more than 500 families.
It will take $100,000 in merchandise to provide for 500 families.
Please pray about your gift and involvement.
How The Funds Work
- PBC purchased items + gifts donated = Store merchandise
- Money donated + Shopper’s money = payment for purchased items
The greatest need is prayer!
How The Store Works
We find in the Bible how God provided for the poor. Farmers were to leave grain and produce around the edges of the field so those in need could harvest what they needed. They simply had to gather the food for themselves.
The Christmas Store operates much the same way.
Families in the church donate money or a variety of items with price tags attached, to The Christmas Store. Those items are then marked down to 25 percent of the retail price. All merchandise is evenly divided between the Friday evening and Saturday morning stores. Families are allowed to spend up to $50.
Families in need must be participating in some ministry of Prestonwood at least 25% of the year. They do not have to be members, only participants. This provides accountability for shopping at The Store and also during the year. Those in need work through their division minister, department director or other leader to complete the necessary application and registration forms.
How To Help
Donate Financially
We can buy gift items at a discount. Just place cash or a check in an envelope marked for The Christmas Store and place it in the offering plate, give it to a volunteer at The Christmas Store Information Booth, or mail it to the church at the following address:
Prestonwood Baptist Church
Attn: City Missions - Christmas Store
6801 W. Park Blvd.
Plano, TX 75093
Donate Toys & Gift Items
Please use the following as a guide when purchasing toys and other gifts.
Ideas for Preschool:
Dress-up kit, firefighter, police officer, doctor’s medical kit, art supplies, backpack, plastic tool set, Fisher Price/Little Tikes truck, Bob the Builder accessories, VeggieTales, multicultural doll, play furniture, block set, doll house, Tonka set.
Ideas for Elementary:
Art kit, outdoor adventure kit, Hot Wheels accessories, junior tool kit, build-your-own-telephone kit, athletic equipment, junior football set, hockey stick (ball/puck for street), skateboard, helmet, Barbie accessories (car, clothes, house, etc.), backpack, camera and film, craft kit, diary set w/ pen, stationary/sticker set, robot kit, baseball set, character phone, telescope, chemistry set, bike.
Ideas for Adults/Teens:
Make-up kit, bath set, desk set, character phone, stereo, CD player, electronic keyboard, purse, tools, sporting goods, bike (24 inch and larger), helmets and pads.
Ideas for Housewares:
Bath towel set, kitchen towel set, glassware set, cookware, blanket, quilt, film, camera, dinnerware set, lamps, calendar for the refrigerator, Christmas home decorations.
Volunteer
Cashier - rings up merchandise, handles cash, works with our CPAs
Check-in - assists with identification, name tags, etc.
Clean-up - helps clean up the store to prepare for Student Ministry on Saturday night
Collection Boxes - place where gifts can be dropped off at church, located at all major entrances and Atrium
Decision Counselor - assists those making decisions at the store
Greeter – welcomes shoppers
Information Line – provides information on shopping, donating, or volunteering at the Christmas Store (the number is 872-820-5053)
Leadership Team – key leaders for The Christmas Store
Package Carry-out - helps carry the packages to the shoppers’ vehicles
Photography/Video - takes photos and video of the store
Prayer Warrior - prays for the needs of the store, the shoppers and volunteers
Runner - runs errands, assisting the Leadership Team where needed
Security - along with off-duty police officers, provides security for the shoppers and volunteers
Set-up (Thur/Fri) - helps get the merchandise placed in the store, located in the Student Ministry area (the team starts at 9:30 am on Thursday. Anyone who can assist, anytime during the day is needed. Friday is tweaking and polishing.)
Shopper Assistant - uses a calculator in the store to help families tally their selections prior to check-out (We need dozens of people.)
Shoppers — make purchases in the store (We allow only two persons from each family to shop in the store. Children are not allowed in the store. There is a primary shopper and a secondary shopper. The primary shopper is the only one who can pay for merchandise. The secondary shopper is there is to assist.)
Wherever - serves where they are needed
Click here for the volunteer schedule.
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