Less than 2 weeks away!

We are less than 2 weeks away from the 2nd Annual Christmas Store on Dec.5. Once again, I am overwhelmed with the Community Fellowships generosity. I've also been encouraged by the numerous people whom you have told about the store and are interested in participating in some way.

At this point I want to encourage everyone to do one or all the following:

1. Pray - take a look at the first 3 posts in October that talk about what the Christmas store is all about and pray the Lord uses the store to dignify our neighbors in a unique way. More so, may the store help people see Jesus for who he really is. May the Lord give us a greater vision for our community and passion to love God and love our neighbors.

2. Continue donating gifts and money. click here for more info.

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3. Consider volunteering - click here for more info.

4. Let others know who would be interested in praying, donating, or volunteering.

Gift Info and Idea List

Drop off all gifts by Nov.29 at:
Community Fellowship Church
28 W 240 North Ave, West Chicago, IL 60185
Questions? Contact Kevin Sampson
630-562-9184
ksampson@commfell.org

*All gifts should be new and unwrapped
*Please choose toys that are appropriate and nonviolent
*Books and stuffed animals tend not be purchased at the Christmas Store


Gift ideas for ages 0-5 / Infant to Kindergarten
Dora the Explorer - Anything!
Diego, Dora's friend - Anything!
Little Tykes Cars & Trucks
Little People Sets by Fisher Price
Doll Furniture & Strollers
My First Year Baby Toys
Warm Coats, Snow Pants, Boots
Play Tools & Construction Sets
Baby Einstein Music CDs
Large Motor Skill games
Baby Monitor/Car Seat/Stroller
LEGO Sets
Rescue Heroes Action Figures
Dora & Diego Sound books
Crib Toys & Washable Dolls
KNEX Kids Sets with Wheels
Leapfrog Toys & Activity Centers
Playskool Walk & Ride Toys
Magna Doodle and Aquadoodle
Educational Toys & Games
Toys for Active Boys!
Tricycles
Large Cars & Trucks
Play Dishes & Food Sets
Baby Dolls - Ethnically Diverse
Bob the Builder Toys
Sesame Street Characters & Toys
Play Tents & Sleeping Bags
Strollers & Bouncy Seats


Gift ideas for ages 6-11 / Elementary School
Remote Control Cars & Planes
EZ Bake Oven
Uno Attack & Uno Spin
Craft Sets & Art Creations
Dolls - Ethnically Diverse
Bicycles & Helmets
Sorry & Life Games
Transformers
Walkie Talkies
Warm Coats, Snow Pants, Boots
Jr. Sized Sports Equipment
iCarly toys
Barbie Play Sets & Furniture
Bicycles
Scooters & Skateboards
Barbie & Bratz Dolls
Creepy Crawler Bug Maker
National Geographic Science Kits
Sleeping Bag
Sports Watch
Jewelry Making Bead Sets
Sled & Snowboards
Hand Held Electronic Games


Gift ideas for ages 12 & up / Middle School & High School
MP3 Players / iPods
Portable Karaoke Machine
Skateboards & Scooters
Full-size Sports Balls
Bath & Body Sets
Make-up & Nail Polish Sets
DVD Player
Curling Iron / Straightener
Sleeping Bag / Pup Tent
Electronic Catch Phrase
Large Exercise Ball
Clue DVD
Winter Coats, Snow Pants, Boots
Snow Boards & Sleds
Bicycles - All sizes
Remote Control Cars & Planes
CD Players
Backpacks
Scene It Games
AXE Gift Set for Guys
Twin Sheet Sets
Telephone
Bean Bag Chair
Alarm Clock / Shower Radio
Soft Touch Dartboards
Sports Watch
Weights for Lifting
Digital Camera

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

IMPORTANT INFO AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST

Here is a list of volunteer opportunities for the Christmas Store. We couldn't do it without you!

If you have any questions about volunteering or would like to sign-up to volunteer please contact Laura Woods - cfxmasstore@gmail.com

Christmas Store Workshop
Come sort, price and prepare all the gifts for the store.
Thursday, December 3rd
6pm-8pm (or until finished)
All ages - Families!

Store set-up & Decorate
Come help set up tables and chairs, gift tables for shoppers, volunteer tables, hospitality area, wrapping room, decorate, and organize gift stock room.
Saturday, December 5th
10am-noon
Any Age

Store Take Down & Clean Up
Table and chair takedown, trash clean-up, and everything else needed to bring the facility back to its normal condition
Saturday, December 5th
7pm until finished
Any Age

Tables Hosts
Table Hosts are responsible for monitoring the gift tables to make sure they are adequately stocked.
Saturday, December 5th
Shift #1 12pm-3:30pm
Shift #2 3:30-7:00pm
High School – Adults
Spanish Speakers Only!

Hospitality
Coordinate Snacks and beverages for shoppers. Get to know families as they wait for their gifts to be wrapped. Entertain children of shoppers.
Saturday, December 5th
Shift #1 12pm-3:30pm
Shift #2 3:30-7:00pm
Adults
Spanish Speakers Needed

Shopper Registration
Welcome the shoppers as they arrive for their shopping appointment. Provide name tags, bags, and gift tags.
Saturday, December 5th
Shift #1 12pm-3:30pm
Shift #2 3:30-7:00pm
Adults
Spanish Speakers Only!

Shopper’s helpers
Accompany our shoppers through the Christmas Store, assist them in selecting gifts for their children and make them feel comfortable.
Saturday, December 5th
Shift #1 12pm-3:30pm
Shift #2 3:30-7:00pm
Adults
Spanish Speakers Only

Gift Wrapping
Free gift wrapping is provided while the parents enjoy coffee, cookies & in the Hospitality area.
Saturday, December 5th
Shift #1 12pm-3:30pm
Shift #2 3:30-7:00pm
High School - Adults

Volunteer check-in & Quality Control
Check in all pre-registered volunteers; collect application/waiver, distribute nametags and direct to the job areas. Oversee and insure the quality of the experience for the shoppers.
Saturday, December 5th
11:30am- 6pm
Adults

IMPORTANT

1. The shift times above are the hours actually worked in the job. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your shift time in order to check in and prepare

2. Due to overcrowding last year volunteer opportunities are limited – please check the volunteer book in the CF lobby on Sunday morning or contact Kevin Sampson (ksampson@commfell.org) to see if space is still available.

3. Please read the entire description of the volunteer role (description, times, age, etc) before signing up

4. Spanish speakers must be fluent

We are off an running!

I want to thank everyone who took an ornament and expressed an interest in volunteering for the Xmas store last Sunday (10/1). We are off to a great start. We will keep stocking the trees with ornaments so please encourage others to take one and donate a gift(s) for the store. If you have friends or family that don't go to CF they are welcome to donate as well.

This Sunday we will have a place for people to sign up to volunteer to be part of the store. I will post all the volunteer opportunities on this blog before Sunday as well.

FAQ's

When is the store?
Saturday, December 5th 2009

Where will it be?
The store will happen at the Neighborhood Resource Center at Westwood Apartments in West Chicago

Why do we charge the families for the gifts?
Because we believe it is more dignifying for people when they experience the joy of exchange. The gifts are sold at a significantly reduced rate so we are not trying to hinder people who need help. We have seen that true transformation of the poor, in economic terms, occurs when people become responsible for themselves, not when they are made objects of pity.

Who can shop at the store? Is the store open for everybody?
West Chicago has a network of Neighborhood Resource Centers that serves families in 3 locations. Our focus will be the families who use the services offered by these Resource Centers. For the past several years people from CF have been volunteering at these resource centers so this Christmas Store is part of an already existing and growing relationship with the Resource Centers, the families they serve, and the larger community. The Christmas Store is only open on Saturday, December 5 to the families who receive an invitation.

Can I donate more than 1 gift?
YES!

Where do we bring the donations?
Community Fellowship Church
West Chicago, IL 60185
Gifts can be dropped off on Sunday mornings or at the church office throughout the week
*Please call ahead of time if you plan on dropping off gifts at the church office (630)562-9184.

When do you need the donated gift by?
Sunday, November 29 or sooner

Will I know who gets the gift I donated?
No. If you volunteer to serve on the day of the Christmas store you will probably have a chance to meet some of the shoppers though.

Can we give $ or checks and receive a tax-deduction?
YES - If you would like to make financial contributions to the Christmas please make checks payable to Community Fellowship Church and write Christmas store in the memo line.

What will we do with the "profits"?
1. Cover the overhead and expenses of the store
2. Other Community development projects in West Chicago. This isn’t a church fundraiser – the profits will be “re-invested” back into the community.

Contact Kevin Sampson if you have more questions (630-562-9184 ksampson@commfell.org)

Can I get a tax donation receipt for a donated gifts?
Yes - You should receive a tax deductible receipt for your donated gift. Please ask if you do not receive one.

How to be a part of the Christmas Store:

DONATE GIFTS
Donating gifts is a great way to get involved with the Christmas Store. Please take ornaments from the trees in the Community Fellowship lobby. The ornament has a list of new gifts on it for you to purchase and bring back to CF by Sunday, November 29th. There is also a list of gift included on pg.???

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
If you would like to make a tax-deductible financial contribution to the Christmas Store please contact Kevin Sampson (630-562-9184 ksampson@commfell.org) for more information.

VOLUNTEER
There are numerous opportunities to share in the true spirit of Christmas by helping to make sure the Christmas Store is a special day for our neighbors. In addition to the opportunities the day of the Christmas Store, there are also important volunteer positions that are needed now.

Before the day of the Christmas Store
1. Sunday Morning helpers (November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29)
2. Administrative help during the week

On the day of the Christmas Store
There are a number of volunteer opportunities including Spanish speakers, gift wrappers, hospitality workers, decorators, shoppers helpers, gift runners, and did we mention Spanish speakers? More specifics about volunteer opportunities will be posted soon.

If you are interested in being a volunteer coordinator for the Christmas Store please contact Kevin Sampson ASAP!! (630-562-9184 ksampson@commfell.org)

What is the Christmas Store?

The Christmas Store is an opportunity for low-income families in our neighborhood to purchase several gifts for their children at a reduced price in a dignifying manner. It is important to preserve each family’s dignity by creating an opportunity that would allow them to select gifts, at a significant savings, that are appropriate and enjoyable for their children. This unique day honors the parents while offering a low-cost, supportive alternative to retail shopping. Neighborhood families receive a special invitation to the one day Christmas Store where they can purchase Christmas gifts at a savings of 75% off the retail price. Parents select up to 2 gifts, which have been donated by people like you, for each of their children. Then, volunteers provide gift-wrapping while the parents enjoy Christmas music and refreshments.