Parish Store Ensures a Happy Christmas for Kids
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January 7, 2022St. Alphonsus Parish in Grand Rapids invited lower income families to shop at their seventh annual Northeast Christmas Store on three separate days in early December.
Families with children younger than 17 were able to buy toys priced at 10 percent of their retail value. For example, they could buy a toy with a retail price of $20 for only $2!
Families were given a shopping allowance based on the number of children living in their household. A family shopping for one child paid only $10 and was able to shop for $100 worth of gifts. Families with two or three children paid $15 for gifts valued at $150; families with four to six children paid $20 for gifts valued at $200; and those with seven or more could spend a total of $25 to receive brand new toys valued at $250.
The Northeast Christmas Store served over 250 families, which meant that more than 1,000 children were blessed with new toys on Christmas morning. Many families told volunteers that they didn’t know how they were going to provide a Christmas for their children this year. A grateful shopper wrote in a note of thanks that she was in tears when she walked in and saw the vast selection of merchandise available. “I’ve never asked for help like this, so it was very emotional for me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she wrote.
Michelle Hatfield, social concerns director of the parish, is proud to be able to offer this wonderful program to help so many families have their best Christmas. The Northeast Christmas Store would not be possible – or successful – without the help of many volunteers, donors and partners.
(Featured in the photos are Fr. Rick Potts, C.Ss.R., Pastor of St. Alphonsus and Fr. Chung Tran, C.Ss.R., Associate Pastor.)