Restoring Hope in 2020: The Christmas Store

Christmas joy spread quickly at the 26th annual Christmas Store at Outreach Community Center in Carol Stream. While this cherished annual event held on December 12th looked a quite different this year due to COVID-safety rules, the mission was the same: Provide local families with an affordable place to shop for Christmas gifts- 177 families shopped, representing 470 children. And shop they did as 1,330 gifts were purchased, thanks to the many gift drives, like the one provided by College Church and 18 local churches.

Photo courtesy of Rachael Watson Photography

One shopper shared how The Christmas Store made a difference for her family: “I started worrying about affording Christmas gifts for my daughter when I lost my job in July. I can’t tell you how much The Christmas Store means to me…after a difficult year, I’m feeling hopeful that it’s all going to be OK.”Thank you, College Church, for sharing the hope of Christ through the Christmas Store.