“Just look at the joy on every face in this room! It’s the reason I’m here each year,” says volunteer Grace Ellsworth. Once again she’s faithfully at her post, doing tough and tempting duty at the cookie table. The dining room at Joshua Station is a big ol’ family reunion of past and present residents, volunteers, and staff. Hugs everywhere, Christmas music, and the din of happy conversation.

This past weekend, for the 33^rd year, over a hundred shoppers were joined by many dozens of volunteers for our annual Christmas Store. By now, you know our philosophy behind the Store. This time of year, sometimes the unintended casualty of holiday good intentions is the dignity of parents who are reminded that they are unable to provide for their children. Together, we’ve found the Christmas Store to be a practical way to care for families—and a sensitive way to support empowered parents.

Thanks to your generous partnership, our residents and alumni paid $5/gift—less than 20% of retail price in most cases. They walked out with armfuls of presents and the satisfaction of knowing they spent their money wisely and got great gifts for their kids!

The Christmas Store is upside-down economics – buy high and sell low!  What a fitting way to celebrate the birth of Christ our Lord, who “comes meek and lowly, appearing first to the poor and humble, offering us all what we could never afford to buy.”

Need a smile on your face? Head over to our blog for a fun photo tour of this year’s Store…