Dec 10 Christmas Store

Each year Sunshine hosts a Christmas store to empower our parents and community during this incredible time of the year.

Many years ago we used to have a toy give-away each Christmas at Sunshine.  Then I read Bob Lupton’s “Theirs is the Kingdom” and began thinking about how we related to our kids and parents within the community.   We had already been thinking about how sometimes our charity is well intended but misplaced.  Bob’s book and one specific article gave me a new set of eyes.

I began to notice that while the kids were happy for the presents, the act of giving what parents couldn’t, undermined our relationship with these moms and dads — you could actually say it undermined the idea of family itself.  That was a tough realization.

So we shifted:  we began giving the toys to the parents.  Our thought was that we could give the gifts to parents who could give them the the kids  – empowering the act of giving by giving it away to moms and dads.  It was a good step. . . mostly.  But this too as an act of “charity” rather than empowerment actually created other problems.  Believe it or not — we had fights!  Parents actually fought over gifts!  (Don’t get too incredulous, the same thing happens on Black Friday at Walmarts all over the country. . . at least on one got maced!)

So we shifted again:  we began selling the toys and clothes!  We sold them for $.25 on the dollar.  So a mom or dad with $25.00 can buy $100 worth of toys for their kids.  We have seen parents skip electric and gas bills so that they can buy for their kids for Christmas.  It’s an important way for moms and dads to love their kids.  And many sacrifice for them at this time of year in ways that undermines other aspects of family stability.  Our partnering churches and families now give so that we can open the Christmas Store on one special day each year.

We don’t do it perfectly, but we are striving to proclaim the kingdom in ways that empower our community. If you’d like to help please contact Brittney Rost.  Email her: brittney “at” sunshinegospel.org

You can also shop directly online and have the gift sent to us via Target.  Just click here.