Our fifth annual Christmas Store was a smashing success again this year. More than 150 children were able to receive gifts through our Christmas Store. The festivities included coffee, pozole, and lots of holiday cheer and excitement! For an explanation of the Christmas Store and why we do it, please click here.
Kids get in the mix too by using their Launch Pad bucks to buy gifts for their parents and other family members. They get so excited to spend the “money” they have saved diligently during the weekly program!
Strong family bonds
The best part of the annual Christmas Store is seeing the families able to provide gifts for their children in a context that protects their dignity. I love seeing how the ability to provide brings a family together, strengthening the bond between parents and children.
All parents want to provide good things for their children. Being able to do so within their means brings joy to both the givers and receivers.
One of our parents explains, “Making the kids happy and smile when they get the gifts is the best part for me. It makes me happy when the kids smile.”
“I love the Christmas Store because it saves me a lot of money,” says another parent. “With seasonal work, I don’t have much money. It helps me get gifts for my kids — all the gifts I need for all my kids! I spent $32. I love it!”
Making it affordable
“Keep helping Ciudad Nueva with the gifts because it makes the kids happy and helps families in need!” one of the participants told us this year. “This is a hard time for everyone.”
When middle class families are feeling the squeeze of the economy and rising prices, lower income families are forced out of the equation entirely. The prices at our annual Christmas Store are approximately 10-20% of what retail costs would be on those items, making gift giving a reality for some of those families.
All the families we spoke to about the Christmas Store said that it definitely helps their families economically.
One mom says, “The store helps my budget. I have so much less stress. I don’t have to worry about gifts.”
Happy faces on Christmas morning!
Thanks to the generosity of our wonderful donors, most parents are able to find things that their children both need and want for Christmas.
“My kids love the balls — basketball, soccer, anything!” says one mom. “Those were their favorite gifts. And I got a blender! I needed it so much. Mine was broken two days before!”
Another parent was able to purchase an over-the-door basketball hoop and clothes for her daughter.
“I got this bicycle for my son!” says another parent.
“The store makes Christmas special,” says one mom. “The kids don’t know it is for them. They still believe in Santa. They’ve loved all the gifts I’ve gotten them.”
You can make someone else’s Christmas brighter by being a donor to our Christmas Store in 2017!
**All names have been removed from this article to protect the identity of Santa Claus at Ciudad Nueva.
