The holiday season be a time of the year when our schedules run away with us, we become distracted and overwhelmed by our long to-do and gift lists, and our exhaustion and short tempers get the best of us.
But when we take a moment to look outside of ourselves and intentionally use some of our time to serve others, we leave room for God to work in our hearts and remind us of what we're really celebrating this time of year: the greatest gift given to us in Jesus Christ.
So how can we serve others in a way that's helpful and empowering this Christmas? Eagle Brook Church partners with local organizations to serve and support the needs of our communities, and several of them have holiday serving and donation opportunities. We've rounded up a few ways that your family can provide hope and joy for the families these organizations support.
Good in the 'Hood – Gifts for Shopping with Dignity Experience
Good in the 'Hood collects gifts for a shopping with dignity experience that impacts more than 900 families in need. This opportunity enables parents and legal guardians to choose gifts for their children and give the holiday gifts themselves.
Your family can sponsor a single child or an entire family, helping provide gifts that will bring joy this Christmas.
While many families choose to sponsor younger children, under the age of 12, there is a great
To support the shopping with dignity experience, you can visit the sponsor application. For more info head to their website!
The Dwelling Place – Gift Card Program
The Dwelling Place is a local organization that serves victims of domestic abuse. During the holiday season, The Dwelling Place collects gift cards to empower the women they serve who are in need of extra help to purchase clothing, food, and gifts for their children.
When you provide a gift card, you equip a woman with the dignity and opportunity to help tend to the needs of her family. This not only brings joy to the mother who receives the gift
Gift cards for Target, Walmart, Cub, or Aldi work best for the geographic area around the shelter. You can call the Dwelling Place at 651-221-0405 to coordinate pick-up.
Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) – Toys of Joy Program
You can help make spirits bright this holiday season by donating new, unwrapped toys to CEAP. Their annual Toys of Joy program serves more than 1,600 children in our community each year, for children ages 0-14. This opportunity gives parents the joy of picking out that extra special gift for their child.
Donations can be dropped off anytime their offices are open (see locations, below), but all donations are needed by Dec. 15 to distribute to families in time for the holidays.
For suggested gift ideas, click here.
You could also give of your time to help with clean up after their Toys of Joy program is complete. This will be in the afternoon on Dec. 21. If you're interested in volunteering, contact Katherine Michaels at .
Brooklyn Center Office: 7051 Brooklyn Blvd • Brooklyn Center, MN 55429 • 763-566-9600
Blaine Office: 1201 89th Ave NE, Ste 130 • Blaine, MN 55434 • 763-783-4930
Operation No Limits – Fill a Stocking Opportunity
Operation No Limits exists to enhance the lives of the at-risk youth at the Lino Lakes Juvenile Corrections Facility through education, support, encouragement, positive experience, life and social skill development, and advocacy.
Because these kids aren't able to be with their families at Christmas, Operation No Limits gives a filled stocking to each of them on Christmas morning. Your family can sponsor a child at the facility, helping fill their stockings and sharing the love and hope of Christ by making their Christmas morning bright!
Operation No Limits provides the stockings, and your family can fill it and include a card or note of encouragement. For a list of items and drop-off details, click here.
