The Christmas Place is an annual event that helps to provide Christmas gifts to the less fortunate of Oxford County. Each year we need donations of new gifts from churches, local residence, schools, service clubs and businesses to continue providing this year. History of The Christmas Place:
The program was originated out of Dundas Street United Church and initiated by Val Drane and Carol Ewing.
These amazing women worked in the elementary school system and
often saw that after Christmas there was a disparity between the families that could afford Christmas gifts and those that could not. They wanted to provide a place that would allow
the less fortunate families to have the same opportunity for the joy of Christmas morning where their kids could find something under the tree. The Christmas Place started in 1980
and since has help hundreds of families each year. In 2006, the torch was passed to Kathy Gardiner who has taken on the task of organizing this event every year since. The Christmas Place has joined the Operation Sharing Family and continues to provide this opportunity every holiday season. How it works:
The Christmas place accepts donations from community members and businesses. Parents receive invitations to shop via all social agencies or churches in Oxford county. Volunteers help to accept and sort donations, then set up a “store” at a local church. This year the store will be at Huron Park Baptist. Parents are then encouraged to come and shop for their children aged 0-18 early December. All toys and gifts are brand new but only cost each family $1-$3 dollars each. Parents are allowed to spend a total of $4 per child. Many of the donations we receive are beautiful toys ranging up to $100 retail value. Pre Covid, and this year we are inviting all the children of these families to come back and shop for their siblings and parents on what we call “Kids Day”. This shopping experience is by donation only with a personal elf shopper to assist each child with their list. Our goal is offering a hand up vs a handout that still allows parents the opportunity to find and afford that perfect gift for each child regardless of their financial challenges during the Christmas Season. If you have any questions, please contact
Kathy Gardiner Director of The Christmas Place
519-533-7493