My Favorite Christmas Activity

For the last several years one of the things I have loved participating in during the Christmas season is Hope For New York's "His Toy Store"  

For the month of Nov HFNY Collects around 5000 toys to be distributed to about 10 different "toy stores" in the city.  These toy stores enable people who do not have the means to provide Christmas for their kids to come and shop for brand new toys.  Every person who attends a toy store is personally invited by someone who works with the HFNY affiliate that is helping organize the His Toy Store. When they come they are assigned with a personal shopper to help them pick out the right gifts, given free childcare while they shop, a Bible, snacks, and just a morning of Christmas cheer!  It really is such a fun and special time.  

For the past 2 years I have helped my old boss with the His Toy Store they do for their families in the South Bronx who are part of the organization "A House on Beekman". 

While the parents shop we put on a "Birthday Party for Jesus" for all the kids.  

This year most of the volunteers were either from one of my community groups or families from Redeemer. 

Misty, Erica, Katherine, and Kate

I love watching these moms and dads take great  care in picking out the perfect gifts for their kids. 

One of our elders at Redeemer did a magic show for the kids 

Tracy (who was my boss at Redeemer before going to work at AHOB full-time) was in charge of the event and did a great job ensuring all these sweets kids had a great time while their parents shopped. 

 In a season that can so easily become about "me" it is a blessing to be a part of His Toy Store.  I have so much to learn from the sweet families who come.  They have a sense of joy and gratitude that I want to soak in.  For yet another year I walked away challenged and thankful.  

And if you really want to be blessed watch this video that A House on Beekman made.  It is so cool to see how the Lord is using this organization in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in our country.