Christmas, it’s not always about what comes wrapped in
ribbons, bows, and wrapping paper but it’s about being with friends and family
however, for the Dallas Leadership Foundation, it was a season of bringing hope
to over 700 families. Months leading into December, we started having meetings
in order to plan and prepare for the Treasure of Hope Christmas Store. This is
an annual store where merchandise is discounted at 75%-80% and families are
able to be referred to the store in order to shop and be able to have hope for
the Holiday and possibly allow the family to have a Christmas that may not have
been possible beforehand.
There’s a lot of behind the scene stuff that has to happen
in order to make the store happen and it takes everyone to help make it happen.
Days were spent on delivering toy boxes to abut 40 organizations to help
collect toys and merchandise to put in the store, it took shopping a couple of
days to get enough merchandise for the store, it took weeks to price all of the
merchandise, and the help of numerous volunteers/ supporters/ and staff to make
the store possible and a success.
So, the Treasure of Hope store was December 18th-21st
and even though it was a very exhausting time, it was well worth the energy to know
that we were able to help bring a sense of hope to over 700 families and was
done in a way that the shoppers didn’t feel offended. They were glad to shop,
kept their dignity, and left with more than they arrived with (both spiritually
and physically).
Every family not only left with the gifts that they bought,
but they also left with a food box to take home to their family. They didn’t
only experience shopping at the store but they also experienced a Gospel
presentation, a chance to be prayed, a chance to know Christ and experience His
love, and a chance to have dinner and interact with many other people.
I was over the registration area and was able to have
interaction with almost every person that came through the store. I was also
able to use my Spanish major and interact with some of the Hispanic speakers at
the store. Knowing that I was using the gifts that God gave me, my major,
interacting with those that came through, seeing the impact that was being
made, etc was well worth inputting over 900 names and information into our data
base so that we could register the shoppers and check that they attended or
not. However, now that the store is over and we are all moved out, I am glad to
have a break from the data base (apricot) since it was a lot.
So, here are some pictures from the Treasure of Hope store and
remember this holiday season to be thankful for what God has given you since
you never know who may have less and may be looking for a little bit of hope…
HOPE, that’s what the store brought and it was a blessing to be able to help
with this event and interact with those we were reaching out to this holiday
season.
More could be said about the store but then again, words don't do justice to what the store is about and the impact that it has on numerous families... Check out my earlier blog post "Bringing Hope" to read more about some of the things that had to take place before the store could open.
A shopper with her bag full and ready to check out
Vehicle full after doing a merchandise pick up from 4 places
Some of the shoppers that enjoyed their purchase of a new bike for their children
James Reed and the pastor from Cristo Rey delivering the Gospel message to the shoppers as they wait to enter the store
The registration team (Friday night)
The President of DLF (Wil) and a manager at Home Depot (Home Depot partnered with the store by putting together all the bikes, volunteering, and purchasing about 50 tool boxes and tool sets for the store!)
T-Ray and Santa at one of the store sessions
Some of the volunteers that were gift wrapping presents for shoppers if they wanted their stuff wrapped!
Every night, the store brought in entertainment as well and this was one of the groups that came in
Some of the merchandise team helping out a shopper by pricing and making sure they were at or under the price limit
Some of the shoppers from Roosevelt High School (one of the schools that we have a lunch program at where we mentor and help students0
Some of the shoppers that were pleased with their purchase
Another happy shopper after her shopping experience
The store also had a hope fair where shoppers could find out information that would help them out
Packing up the store and getting ready to move out until next year
