Stone County Christmas Assistance: Brightening the holidays for families in need

Inspirational Christmas spirit and community cooperation were on full display on Sunday and Monday, December 7 and 8, as the Stone County Christmas Assistance store again helped ensure that area families in need could provide a Merry Christmas for their children. 

Sponsored by Unite Table Rock Lake, with help from valuable partners and volunteers, the Christmas store was hosted again this year by the New Testament Christian Church in Reeds Spring. As of Sunday afternoon, over 400 families had signed up, putting the event on track to serve well over 1,000 children.

Coordinators Maureen Darby and Carrie Padilla estimated that about 35% of those served were new to the event, some affected by the recent delay in SNAP benefits which meant funds that might have covered utilities or other expenses needed to be used for food. Another group particularly appreciative of the assistance each year are custodial grandparents, stretching a retirement income to care for grandchildren when parents are not able to do so. Several carried lists of children’s sizes or “wish list” items, and one held careful tracings of the grandchildren’s feet to help in selecting appropriate shoe sizes. 

Both Darby and Padilla expressed gratitude for individuals, businesses, churches and other nonprofits in the community coming together to make this special time happen, and several volunteers shared their own enjoyment of being involved. Darby also thanked the large number of shoppers who participated in “Stuff the Sleigh” at the Branson West Walmart, a valuable source of donations to prepare for the Christmas Store weekend. 

“I look forward to this each year, seeing the grateful looks on the parents’ faces; there’s nothing like it,” shared a volunteer parking lot attendant, one of several braving Sunday afternoon’s chilly breeze to direct participants and help them load their cars after picking out their treasures. Several area first responders, who often see the needs first-hand as part of their duties, were eager volunteers as well. 

Upon arrival, parents/guardians were greeted and treated to hot cocoa before checking in to match up with their personal shopping assistant, who guided them through a wonderful selection of toys, with a checklist to help each parent select age-appropriate large, medium and small gifts for boys and girls. Shoppers also visited the pajama room, shoe room, coat room and the clothing room where the parents themselves were not forgotten as they were encouraged to pick out an outfit for themselves as well. 

Shoppers then went to the wrapping station, to have the gifts wrapped or pick up supplies for doing it themselves, and visited resource tables for hygiene items, a Bible from the Gideons International, and referrals to other area resource organizations as needed. The final stop was the food hallway, where families received generous packages of food thanks to Christian Action Ministries, Convoy of Hope and Stone County Harvest. 

A huge thanks to Unite Table Rock Lake and their community partners for making Christmas brighter and merrier for children and families across Stone County!