Program To Bring Christmas To Paradise Children
The Factory Ministries Christmas program brings Christmas to children of the greater Paradise area by matching donors with local families to the benefit of both parties. According to Shira Zimmerman, director of advocates at The Factory, families often include their own children in purchasing and donating gifts to the program. "We often hear, 'I have a 13-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son. Do you have any kids those ages (taking part in the program)?'" said Zimmerman.
The Christmas program, which dates back several years, was streamlined last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the 2021 program will be held in the traditional format, with parents signing up for a clothing item and a gift item for each child by Friday, Nov. 5, and donors, which may be individuals, small groups, or churches, as well as families, shopping for items from Nov. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 5. Donors, who will receive details about each child's Christmas wishes, needs, and sizes, are asked to spend a minimum amount on each gift, and they may purchase more gifts if they want to do so.
Once The Factory has received all the gifts, a party is planned. "A big part of our program is that when the donors bring the gifts back, the parents pay a dollar per gift so the parent is giving the child the gift on Christmas. It's from them," explained Zimmerman, who said that the wrapping party for parents will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at The Factory. Zimmerman said that The Factory staff hopes to hold an event similar to pre-COVID celebrations. "(In 2020), we didn't have stations (as in the past)," explained Zimmerman. "Usually we have a hot chocolate station, a dinner station, and a wrapping station." Food stations were not part of the 2020 walk-through event, and instead of a wrapping station, the parent could pick a roll of wrapping paper.
Although the program looked a little different in 2020, more than 650 gifts were provided to over 400 children, who were members of 200 greater Pequea Valley families.
Readers who would like to become involved in The Factory Christmas program may call 717-687-9594 or email info@thefactoryministries.com.
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