Stone County Christmas Assistance accepting volunteers and donations

The lights and decorations going up in our communities are a beautiful reminder that Christmas is just around the corner! For some families, though, this season is a challenge, with limited budgets and many needs. Stone County Christmas Assistance, sponsored by Unite Table Rock Lake each year, is a great opportunity to make a tremendous difference for those families. 

The Stone County Christmas Assistance Store will be held December 7 and 8 at New Testament Christian Church, 21016 Main St. in Reeds Spring, and is expected to serve over 1,300 Stone County children this year. There are a number of ways to get involved: 

The Toy Drive is currently happening, and will continue through December 1 to ensure Santa’s Toy Store is stocked and ready! Individuals or groups can donate unwrapped new toys and gifts for boys and girls ages zero through 18, at any of the 40-plus donation boxes around Stone County. Choose a specific age group or focus on a particular type of item—it’s up to you! Tax-deductible donations by cash or check are also appreciated and can be dropped off at Maureen Darby’s State Farm office or at the Kimberling City Southern Bank. 

Branson West Walmart will again be the site for “Stuff the Sleigh,” on Friday, November 14, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, November 15, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a fun opportunity for families to volunteer together, handing out lists of needed items, collecting donations as customers exit the store, and helping put the donations into Santa’s sleigh. Use the Sign-Up Genius at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094CAEA92DA3F94-59855350-stuff to get involved. 

Adult volunteers are also needed for the Toy Store dates, to help with greeting guests, registration, toy sorting and restocking, gift wrapping, assisting parents with shopping, distributing hygiene items, helping with clothes, coats, gloves, stocking stuffers, parking lot assistance, traffic direction, loading cars and providing information on other services and resources. In the week leading up to the event, volunteers can assist with grocery sorting, assembling food baskets and bike assembly. Please note, to volunteer, you MUST sign up in advance. 

To be eligible for assistance, families must have children ages zero to 18, reside in Stone County, qualify for free/reduced school lunch, and sign up via the link on the Unite TRL Facebook page or the Stone County Health Department or Southern Stone County Fire Department websites. 

Past participants, both recipients and volunteers, attest to the value of this event in bringing the community together and restoring hope to families who are going through a hard time. Many past recipients now express their appreciation through volunteering. For more information, email unitetrl@gmail.com. To host a box or donate financially, call 405-919-8748. Thank you for helping bring joy to Stone County families this holiday season!