Thursday, March 28, 2024

Christmas for Children

Posted

A young man remembering having a Christmas because of the nonprofit Christmas for Children paid it forward this week.

He paid for the pizzas ordered for volunteers, and has offered to buy pizza again on distribution day.

“When we went to pick up the pizzas, a young man at the pizza place said he was paying for the pizza,” said Jacque Gordon, president of Christmas for Children. “He said he remembered a time as a child that he received Christmas presents through Christmas for Children. And he indicated without it, there wouldn’t have been any Christmas presents.”

GETTING ORGANIZED

Managing Christmas gifts for hundreds of children is no easy task. But volunteers with Christmas for Children are up for the challenge.

“We have fine-tuned the system through the years,” said Gordon. Christmas for Children became a nonprofit in 1974.

The Christmas workshop opened this week in the Courts Cleveland Show Barn on the Granbury Reunion Grounds.

Long rows of tables are stacked with gifts to be sorted for each child. Heavy plastic tarps cover the dirt arena, keeping dust and grime away from the toys.

In some years, Christmas for Children served more than 2,500 children. This year it’s down to 1,600 - possibly due to the new application system. Applicants were required to register in person.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Children typically list three items they would like to receive for Christmas.

“Sometimes we can’t get everything they want, but we do try to get at least one thing from their list,” Gordon said.

Each applicant receives around $75 worth of gifts.

There are a few standard items for each child.

Every child receives a blanket or throw, along with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Every child is given a book provided by the Hood County Retired School Personnel.

Each child under 5 gets pajamas, while each child 12 and older gets a bag with personnel hygiene items, including wipes.

“Some of these kids don’t have running water at home,” Gordon explained. “So the wipes help with bathing.”

HELPING THE CAUSE

A golf tournament was held to benefit Christmas for Children, and the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department sponsored a recent benefit.

Numerous groups make monetary donations. Donations can be mailed to Christmas for Children, P.O. Box 681, Granbury 76048. You can also donate online at www.christmasforchildren.org.

There are 30 angel trees at banks and various businesses in town. You can take a card that includes the child’s name, age and wish list. The card and unwrapped gifts can be returned to the business.

“Acton United Methodist Church is going to cover 500 cards,” Gordon said. “It’s their mission project.”

The Jeep Only Club toy drive, Henson’s toy drive, the Thomas Myers toy drive, along with others, provide many of the toys.

Toys for Tots boxes are in businesses across the county.

“This year, the Toys for Tots campaign has grouped Granbury and Weatherford together in a district,” Gordon said. “But, the toys collected in Hood County will stay in Hood County.”

The Salvation Army Women’s Service League will help with 60 beds requested by the children. New bedding is provided with each bed.

Bicycles remain popular, and 350 have been ordered. Bike assembly day takes place at the Granbury Reunion Grounds Saturday, Dec. 15, starting at 9 a.m.

Distribution day is Wednesday, Dec. 19.

“When we open the doors at 8 a.m., there will already be about 100 people waiting in line outside,” Gordon said. “People like to pick up the gifts while their children are at school.”

Any gifts above those needed at Christmas for Children will be given to Mission Granbury for distribution.

dschneider@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 255