What is Gift of Love Christmas Store (GOLCS)?
For more than 10 years, God has given Genesis a great opportunity to serve our community and share the love of Jesus with people in Eureka through this store. The heart and soul of our Christmas Store is that we can provide families with the opportunity to purchase new gifts for their kids at Christmas. The Store is Saturday, December 10, at Blevins Elementary School.
On that day, families in need, some of whom have children attending one of the three elementary schools in Eureka, will join us at Blevins Elementary. They will purchase new gifts for their kids at a 90% reduced price. Families will register in advance for 1-3 specific gifts, with a total value of $60 per child. Gifts will be purchased and donated by our church family and other friends who want to share the love of Jesus and make a difference for these families during the Christmas season.
At the event, we will pair up a volunteer with each family to personally connect with them and guide them through the store, including a hospitality table with snacks and coffee, an area for them to fill a family stocking full of goodies, and an opportunity to participate in fun Christmas crafts and activities with their children while gifts are wrapped. Families will also be given a basket of household items to help them during the holidays.
The primary way people are invited to the store is through a combined letter from Genesis and the schools. The principals of each school select the families and send the letters. In past years, we have served 50-76 kids each season. This gives us a very real partnership with the schools as we strive to serve families. It is also a great opportunity for our church to show the love of Jesus to those who are hurting in our community and to live out God’s purpose in Eureka.
Gifts for the Store
A table will be set up at church where you can choose from the list of pre-registered gifts to purchase through Nov. 27. The list will be updated as we receive registrations from families, so please check the table each week for additions. You can also drop off your donations (gifts, stocking stuffers, or money) and connect with volunteer needs through Dec. 4. The earlier that needs are filled, the better prepared we can be to serve the families well, especially as supply chain issues and shipping delays are expected this Christmas season. In addition, donations of specific household goods to fill baskets, candy and other stocking stuffer items, as well as monetary donations to be used for gift purchases will be accepted.
Monetary donations can be made by check (listing “GOLCS” on the memo line) or through online giving by selecting the “Gift of Love Christmas Store” designation at this link:
https://genesiseureka.churchcenteronline.com
Christmas Store Volunteers
To make the store a success, we need a large team of volunteers. The team will include people to help our guests move through the store experience, gift wrappers, greeters, children’s area workers, hospitality, floaters, and set up/tear down.
On Dec. 10, volunteers will serve from 8:00 a.m.-12 noon. To respect the privacy of the families, we ask that any adult or student working or attending in the Eureka schools refrain from volunteering the day of the store. You are certainly welcome to volunteer for advance preparations!
For more information, specific donation needs, or to sign up as a volunteer, contact Jodi Burnley (314-780-1805) or Melissa Johnston (314-974-8002) or stop by the GOLCS table.