...for City of Southlake news, business, and community happenings.
-
- Christmas Cottage
Saturday, April 20, 2024
The holidays are the perfect time for giving back. If you are looking to give back to a dependable organization that spreads holiday cheer to those who need it the most, look no further than our community partner, GRACE.
Last week, GRACE hosted its Christmas Cottage Open House on Tuesday, December 6, to kick start the holiday season of serving children and families in the community. GRACE also took the opportunity to thank the hundreds of volunteers and supporters of this year’s Christmas Cottage. Attendees were encouraged to help by bringing new, unwrapped toys to donate to the cottage.
“The Christmas Cottage is a program that many families in our own backyard look forward to each year,” said GRACE’s Chief Executive Officer, Shonda Schaefer. “The community’s role in donating, volunteering, or supporting the Cottage is very important to the entire mission of GRACE.”
The GRACE Christmas Cottage serves families facing financial hardship due to limited income or a recent emergency. Each qualified family is given a hypothetical budget that allows parents to “purchase” donated toys, home goods, and appliances in a private, store-like setting. This approach lets families budget their resources and select unique presents while preserving the family’s dignity.
GRACE is accepting toys anytime at their Donation Station, GRACE admin building, and at the Christmas Cottage from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday- Friday. To learn more about the Christmas Cottage and how you can get involved, please reach out to GRACE’s Seasonal Programs Coordinator, Beth Chernik at bchernik@gracegrapevine.org.
We are grateful to partner with organizations that give back to our community!
GRACE (Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange) Grapevine will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, November 30th from 4:00 PM-8:00 PM to promote their annual Christmas Cottage.
Through their annual Christmas Cottage program, GRACE Grapevine provides new, unwrapped gifts to families facing financial hardship due to a limited income or a recent emergency. Each qualified family is given a hypothetical “budget” that allows the parents to “purchase” donated toys, home goods, and appliances in a private, store-like setting. This unique approach allows families to budget their resources and select unique presents while preserving the family’s dignity. Over 2,700 individuals and families are served each holiday season.
Unwrapped and new items can be donated at the Donation Station, 112 N Scribner Street, or at the GRACE Main, 610 Shady Brook Drive, both in Grapevine. The Christmas Cottage Program will be open from December 8th-22nd. A list of items needed can be found at GRACEGrapevine.org under the tab “Christmas Cottage”, as well as other ways to get involved.
To promote the Christmas Cottage program, GRACE Grapevine will be hosting an Open House:
Date: November 30th, 2016
Time: 4:00 PM-8:00 PM
Where: 815 S. Main Street; Grapevine, TX 76051
The Open House will begin at 4:00 PM with Children’s Time and at 5:30 PM wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. To R.S.V.P to the event, please contact Chelsea Rose, the Special Events Coordinator for GRACE Grapevine at events@GRACEGrapevine.org. For questions regarding the event, please contact Lori Stevens, the Seasonal Programs Manager for GRACE Grapevine at lstevens@GRACEGrapevine.org.
For more information regarding the Christmas Cottage program, please call GRACE Grapevine (817) 488-7009.
GRACE Grapevine is a Grapevine, Texas based nonprofit organization that provides food, clothing, financial assistance, and other vital necessities to people who are struggling with a limited income or recent emergency.
The City of Southlake has been a proud partner with GRACE Grapevine since 1994.
The GRACE Christmas Cottage has been giving and growing since 2001 — in size, volume and people served. What began as an organized effort to distribute toys to local children has developed into a well-orchestrated program of providing holiday gifts to entire families. Now in its 11th year, the Christmas Cottage is open December 7-20 at 2845 Exchange Blvd, suite 300, in Southlake. Supporters are asked to bring new and unwrapped toys and gifts for children and teens; small appliances and gift cards for parents; wrapping paper, tape and bows; and batteries beginning Monday, November 26, between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
What was a huge empty warehouse has been transformed into what resembles Santa’s toy shop with festive décor, trees, wreaths and lights. Donated toys and gifts are organized by sex and age groups to aid shoppers. To participate, families must be qualified by GRACE and make an appointment to visit the Christmas Cottage.
According to Shonda Schaeffer, executive director for Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange (GRACE), the Christmas Cottage is designed to be a one-stop shop for families facing financial challenges, noting the store-like setting allows the parents to have a sense of dignity and pride as they select the perfect gifts for each child.
“We’re thrilled with our volunteer and donor support for the Christmas Cottage,” said Schaefer. “However, we are concerned because we are reaching about 400 more kids than last year. We’re looking to the community to step in and help with more donations.”
GRACE is expecting the Christmas Cottage to provide a happy holiday to more than 600 families with more than 1,600 children who live in the Grapevine, Colleyville and Southlake area. “We are asking even more this year from our community to help fill this need,” Schaefer continued.
To assist those wishing to make donations, GRACE has compiled a list of gift ideas for children, teenagers, and adults/families that includes items in all price ranges.
Just as important as toys are the volunteers who organize, decorate, stock, clean up and assist customers during the 14-day run. Spanish-speaking volunteers are very important to make sure all families’ needs are met. Anyone wishing to work at the Christmas Cottage should contact Lori Stevens at 817-488-2181 or lstevens@gracegrapevine.org.
The Christmas experience is not complete without cookies which is why the Christmas Cottage needs six dozen cookies a day to hand out to visitors. If you would like to donate baked cookies, please contact Lori Stevens at 817-488-2181 or lstevens@gracegrapevine.org
For more information about the GRACE Christmas Cottage, go to www.gracegrapevine.orgor call 817-488-7009.