City Union Mission is gearing up for its annual Christmas Store, a cherished tradition set to open its doors in November.
As an integral part of the organization’s “Mission: Christmas” initiative, the Christmas Store offers shelter guests, program residents, and qualifying working-poor neighbors the opportunity to select presents for their families at no cost.
The mission is actively seeking volunteers to help ensure a joyful, stress-free holiday shopping experience for those in need.
The organization’s chief executive officer, Terry Megli, emphasizes the importance of community support: “The Mission needs many helping hands at our Christmas Store to provide an enjoyable, festive, and stress-free holiday shopping experience for low-income individuals and families.”
The mission is in search of dedicated volunteer store assistants to aid shoppers, replenish store shelves with gift items, organize received gifts, and assist shoppers with transporting their selections. Volunteers will be required during morning and afternoon shifts from November 13 through December 21. For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, please visit their website.
In addition to recruiting seasonal volunteers, City Union Mission is also appealing for donations of new, unwrapped coats, toys, and small household appliances to replenish store shelves. The Mission’s Amazon Wish List at MissionChristmas.org provides an easy way to support the cause by selecting the most needed items.
City Union Mission aims to provide 12,000 gifts to 1,000 families this holiday season and calls upon individuals, groups, and businesses to contribute to filling the Christmas Store’s shelves by starting their shopping early.
Terry Megli encourages using Amazon gift cards for a good cause. “Get a jump start on your holiday shopping and use your Amazon gift cards to help bring joy to thousands of less fortunate children and families this Christmas,” he states. “Monetary donations are always appreciated and help us offset the purchase of items that are not donated. We are grateful for a community of helping hands and generous hearts who will help ensure the Mission has enough support and donations to make the holiday season special for those in need.”
Donations can be delivered or sent to the Christmas Store located at 1700 E. 8th Street in Kansas City on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November 1st through December 22nd. Additionally, gifts can be dropped off at the Mission’s Family Center, located at 1310 Wabash, after 4 p.m. on weekdays and anytime during the weekends. Monetary donations can be made directly through cityunionmission.org.
With the combined efforts of volunteers and generous contributors, City Union Mission aims to make this holiday season extraordinary for those less fortunate in the Kansas City area.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice