The Polk County Center of Hope is busy preparing to make Christmas brighter for thousands in the area.
Their Christmas ministry works for families that need some help putting children’s presents under the tree. Board member Brad Butler, who leads the Christmas of Hope Empty Stocking Program, said the goal is the ability for parents to bring Christmas to their children.
“What we do – it’s a store, but doesn’t cost anything, of course. It is a store where they can come, and they can receive gifts for their children,” Butler said. “If they want us to wrap them, we will wrap them there. If they would like to wrap them at home, we will give them wrapping paper and tape to take them home. The idea is for the parent to be the gift-giver for their child.
“Obviously, we don’t have Nintendos or things like that, but we have nice gifts like scooters and age-appropriate things that they can pick. In the past, we wanted to give hoodies. We made a change this year, so they can get a designer long sleeve T-shirt. A kid will get a Nike T-shirt or Pink or different companies that maybe kids couldn’t normally afford, but puts them on equal footing with other kids.”
Polk County residents with low-income and children apply at the Center of Hope throughout the month of November.
To do so, visit the center at 600 S. Washington Ave. in Livingston on Tuesdays or Thursdays 12:30-3:30 p.m. Parents or guardians will need a picture identification, like a driver’s license, as well as proof of residency in Polk County, like a utility bill.
Once enrolled, parents or guardians are assigned a shopping day on the second or third weekend (Fridays and Saturdays) of December.
Center of Hope would like for all to be signed up by Dec. 1. Shoppers cannot show up without a ticket on those days expecting to leave with gifts; they will need a ticket before December. That way, Butler said, the clients may be asked what their child desires to help the center shop. Parents and guardians will have a personal shopper who helps them with selections and will receive multiple gifts for each child.
“If anybody would like to sign up, you just have to qualify, which is very easy to do,” Butler said. “We are making our first big Walmart run Thursday, where we will get quite a bit of stuff. Last year, we had just about 1,000 children in Polk County who received gifts through our program. We expect it to be greater this year with the economy and everything going on. We’re prepared for it to be more.
“Our goal is to bring dignity to the Christmas process for parents. There is a verse that says, ‘A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.’ Our hope is that as people see and receive gifts, that they understand we are celebrating the greatest gift, Jesus, that we receive at Christmas.”
For those who wish to contribute, toy bins are located across town at different restaurants and businesses, or gifts can be taken directly to Center of Hope. Cash donations are needed in the process. Over $30,000 is spent in order to create thousands of Christmas memories across Polk County.
For more information on donating or obtaining a shopping ticket, call 936-327-7634 or email christmas@centerofhopepolk.org.
