Christmas Store

The Christmas Store exists to provide new toys at Christmas to children in low-income families by engaging volunteers in meaningful community service.

Following the instructions of Jesus, the Christmas Store is designed to help families in this area who are in need during the holidays. There are many families who do not have adequate resources to purchase gifts for their children at Christmas time. They find themselves struggling just to “make ends meet” with the necessities of life. Additionally, there are many other people in this area who have abundant resources. They find themselves wanting to help their neighbors, but do not know what the need is or how to help. The purpose of the Christmas Store is to bring those two groups together.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When will the Christmas Store take place?
2. Where does the Christmas Store take place?
3. Who benefits from the store?
4. What will the Christmas Store look like?
5. How is the Christmas Store stocked?
6. How many people will this year’s store serve?
7. How can I help?
8. How can I donate toys to the Christmas Store?
9. How can I coordinate my organization’s partnership with the Christmas Store?
10. How can I volunteer to help on the days of the Christmas Store?

When will the Christmas Store take place?

The 2009 Christmas Store will take place on Friday & Saturday, December 11-12.

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Where does the Christmas Store take place?

The Christmas Store is hosted by New Horizons Fellowship, at 820 East Williams Street (Hwy 55), Apex, NC.

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Who benefits from the store?

Families are referred to the Christmas Store by Western Wake Crisis Ministry and by Christian Community in Action. Throughout the year, these organizations work with people who are in crisis situations resulting from a lack of resources. They will refer clients with children under 16 years of age to come to the Christmas Store. School counselors from local schools will also refer families whom they know to be in need during the holiday season. The Christmas Store operates on a referral basis only. In 2008, the Christmas Store served 913 children from 349 families.

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What will the store look like?

The Christmas Store is hosted by New Horizons Fellowship in Apex, NC. Each client receives an appointment time upon registration, and has an opportunity to “shop” at the store on that day and time. When they arrive, they will be greeted by volunteers and treated to holiday music, decorations and refreshments. Free child care is provided for clients who bring their children. The children will visit with Santa’s helpers, hear the Christmas story, and enjoy crafts, snacks or games. Sometimes Santa makes a surprise visit.

Meanwhile, the parents will speak with a volunteer, and are then given an opportunity to select 2-3 gifts for each child registered. The store is divided up into age groups, making it easier to make toy selections. Volunteers are available to assist clients in finding that special item. When clients have finished shopping, the gifts will be wrapped. Volunteers then assist the clients in getting the wrapped items to their car and picking up their children from care.

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How is the Christmas Store stocked?

Toys come from various individuals, churches, companies and civic and community organizations. Donated toys should be brand new and in the box (no used toys will be accepted).

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How many people will this year’s store serve?

Based on Christmas Store 2008, an estimated 1000 children may be served in 2009.  That means that the store will need to stock at least 3,000 toys. Each toy ranges in cost between $10-$15. An estimated $45,000 worth of toys will be secured prior to the opening of the store. This year’s deadline for the donation of toys is Sunday, December 6. Client registration will take place from October 26 through December 4 , at Western Wake Crisis Ministry in Apex (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30-9:30am and 5:30-6:30pm) and at Christian Community in Action in Cary (Monday through Friday, 10am-12pm).

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How can I help?

Opportunities exist in every part of the Christmas Store. Here are just a few specific ways in which you can help:

• purchasing toys for the Christmas Store to share with families in need
• serving as your local church, company, or civic organization’s coordinator
• volunteering to work in the store on Friday or Saturday

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How can I donate toys to the Christmas Store?

You may pick up a tree tag from the tree in the lobby at New Horizons Fellowship, purchase a gift for that gender and age child and then bring it back to the Toy Corral at New Horizons Fellowship. Also, many local churches and businesses have trees with tags available for pickup as well.

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How can I coordinate my organization’s partnership with the Christmas Store?

Connect with the Christmas Store to request tree tags for your organization, or to arrange donations of toys, finances or special items. Complete this form to receive contact from a partnership coordinator.

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How can I volunteer to help on the days of the Christmas Store?

A large number of volunteers are needed to make the Christmas Store run smoothly. Volunteer shift times are listed below, and each volunteer is provided with orientation and a brief training, along with a name badge and identifying ribbon, in the Annex space at the beginning of each shift.

To request a specific role and shift, please complete the Volunteer Request Form. You will be contacted to confirm your chosen area and time.

Volunteer Shifts

2009 Volunteer shifts are as follows:

Friday, December 11…  11:30am-2:30pm; 2-5pm; 4:30-7:30pm; 7-9:30pm

Saturday, December 12… 8:30-11:30am; 11am-2pm; 1:30-4:30pm; 4-7pm

Volunteer Roles

• Child care– Care for and entertain children of the clients, helping them with crafts, snacks and games. (You must be at least 13 years old to serve in this area without a parent present.)
• Customer service– Meet and escort the clients through the store, helping them to select gifts for each registered child. (You must be at least 18 years old to serve in this area without a parent present.)
• Gift wrap– Wrap gifts for the clients, ensuring that each gift is tagged for the appropriate child. (You must be at least 15 years old to serve in this area without a parent present.)
• Gift wrap guide– Distribute the gifts clients have selected to gift wrap volunteers and collect them back into a client’s cart when completed. (You must be at least 15 years old to serve in this area without a parent present.)
• Greeter– Welcome everyone to the Christmas Store and help guide clients to their next step in the Christmas Store experience. (You must be at least 14 years old to serve in this area without a parent present.)
• Inventory– Keep the toys in the store organized by age group and restock the selections as needed, distribute batteries to gifts requiring them, match boxes to gifts before wrapping, or load packages in client’s cars. (You must be at least 15 years old to serve in this area without a parent present.)
• Registration– Confirm the client’s appointment and prepare their clipboard with the names of the registered children. Assist clients who do not have appointments by providing available options. (You must be at least 14 years old to serve in this area without a parent present.)
• Spanish interpretation– Serve as a translator to assist communication with Spanish-speaking clients. (You must be at least 10 years old to serve in this area without a parent present.)

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