Christmas Store offers hope, charity, respect

The holiday season is upon us, but for some so are missed paychecks and lost income. It can be a happy time for most, but for some families it is a difficult time figuring out how to make it through the season.

Offering a ray of hope to those who can’t afford to pay for any Christmas gifts, is the Barnabas Connection’s Christmas Store. For the last seven years it is one tradition that helps those in need locally attain their Christmas wishes.

“This year we have seen a big increase in families signing up for Christmas Store assistance due to many of them being impacted due to COVID-19. Many of these are first-time families and many families are asking for basic necessities like coats, blankets, and food,” Kate Sowell, Executive Director of the Barnabas Connection said.

For more than 16 years, the Barnabas Connection has been the go-to organization in the valley to help with the needs of the community. Offering help whether it has been following the devastation of a major flood or just the temporary situation of an unpaid utility bill for a family, they’ve been there. It’s not just not monetary needs but helpful information in navigating social services and other in-need organizations.

The Christmas Store is one of their big events, offering a discount on toys, clothes, bikes and other gifts for members of family. “The clients are able to buy the items at least one quarter retail instead of just free. Bikes and scooters are discounted more and they come with a helmet for the rider,” Barnabas Board President Susan Myers said. “No one leaves without three or four bags of gifts.”

This is one way that the client can learn to budget for all the family needs while also offering a bit of normalcy. Safety precautions have caused a few changes this year.

“We COVID screen. They are given an appointment time, only one at a time. People have been so respectful and we appreciate that,” Myers said.

Many individuals sponsored families this year along with local businesses and other organizations. Sonora Bank hosted the toy drive for the Christmas Store for the second year in a row.

“We have been very blessed by our community and donors. Each time we have had a need come up, it has been quickly answered and we are so very thankful for the impact that each of you making on the lives of our families and children this Christmas,” Sowell said.

The Barnabas Connection is proud of their completely revamped website at barnabasconnects.org.