Christmas can be a difficult time for parents living in poverty. Their children hope for a colorful bike, hot new video game or the cool toy every kid is talking about. Yet for parents struggling to make ends meet, Christmas often adds worry and despair to an already stressful life.
GUM created the Christmas Toy Store to strengthen families by replacing despair with dignity. At GUM’s Christmas Toy Store, parents choose the gifts their children want at a price the family can afford.
For a weekend in December, the GUM church looks just like Santa’s Workshop. Tables overflow with new toys, games, books and countless other treasures. Christmas music and twinkling lights set the stage for a magical experience. Parents browse hundreds of gifts ~ items that were carefully chosen and purchased by generous donors like you.
"I enjoy watching the excitement when parents buy presents they can afford,” shares Candis Jones, GUM’s Director of Program Operations. “Our parents are torn at this time of year. Their children need jackets and warm clothes, and parents know money should go toward those necessities. Yet, they also want their children to have a Merry Christmas. The Christmas Toy Store makes both things possible. Parents pay only 20% of an item’s value, so they can buy the warm jacket AND afford that new bike or video game. Parents are so grateful.”
Four ways you can experience the joy of giving while supporting the Christmas Toy Store this season:
When shopping online, consider choosing a gift for a GUM kid.
Instead of gag gifts that will be quickly forgotten, encourage colleagues to bring new, unwrapped toys to your office Christmas party.
When hosting your own holiday party, consider asking your guests to bring a gift for a child (newborn to18 years old).
Teach your child the art of giving by encouraging them to donate a gift to GUM’s Christmas Toy Store.
We’ve created a wish list at Amazon to make giving simple; check it out here.
For gifts or monetary donations sent by mail:
Galveston Urban Ministries
3727 Ball Street, Galveston, TX 77550
Please send items no later than December 2nd to arrive in time for the store.
To Donate financially online click here.
Hand deliver packages to:
GUM Office
3727 Ball Street, Galveston
Monday-Thursday 9am to 5pm
From now until Dec 2nd
To arrange package delivery after business hours,
please contact Yvette Smith at (409)497-2460
or email yvette@galvestonurbanministries.org
We are grateful to you for making 2023 a very Merry Christmas in our neighborhood!
