This year, Oak Tree Ministries will be reinventing our annual
“Christmas Shop” in Marks Village!

As we learn to love our neighbors as ourselves, we begin to see the world from their point of view, challenging us to reevaluate our own views. Some of us love shopping for Christmas! Others prefer online shopping. But we can all agree it is a joy to give a special gift to our loved ones!

Many parents in our community do not have the privilege of shopping for a special Christmas gift for their child. We want to change that! Rather than giving children gifts from us, what if we were able to provide a way for parents to shop at affordable prices and choose their own gifts for their children? We want to support families in the Village by letting parents have the joy of watching their children open gifts on Christmas morning that come from them!

It’s fun to play Santa, but we want to pass that role on to parents so that they can receive the credit, while we take the role of his little helpers! Would you join us in being elves this year?

If you would like to see what this looks like in Atlanta, you can watch THIS SHORT VIDEO.

So, how will this work?In the coming months, we will collect new toys from partners like you! We will price toys at an extremely reduced rate and organize them like a store at our “Tree House.” On December 15-16, we will open up “Christmas in the Village” for parents to come shop for their children. All funds raised from toy sales will go toward summer programs for their children. With the help of our neighbors and gracious volunteers we will have a gift-wrapping station, door prizes, cookies and hot chocolate, childcare with Christmas activities, and more!

Our heart is to see “Christmas in the Village” strengthen our relationship with our neighbors, allow us to have tons of fun with our community, and share the hope that Christ brings through the Christmas story!

Christmas in the Village will be a unique giving opportunity because it provides four gifts in one: 

1. The gift of a toy at Christmas for a child. 

2. The gift of pride for the parents who are able to provide for their own families. 

3. The gift of fellowship and community as we celebrate Christmas with our neighbors.

4. The gift of funding for summer programs for children in the coming year!

There are many ways YOU can be involved!

o   Be a business sponsor!

o   Donate toys (shop on our Amazon wish list to deliver right to us, or get gift ideas HERE)

o    Donate wrapping paper / gift bags

o   Volunteer your time!

For more information or to volunteer, contact Raquel at raquel.patterson@oaktreeministries.org. 

Stay tuned! We will be posting updates & specific volunteer needs in the weeks to come!