Every Christmas, GraceWorks Ministries holds a special holiday program called “The Manger,” which provides qualified Williamson County residents the ability to shop for Christmas gifts for their family members.
The Manger will be held at GraceWorks Ministries, 104 Southeast Parkway, Franklin, TN 37064.
With the generosity of the local community donating new items ($30 or less for infants to seniors), and with the help from teams of volunteers, a “store like” environment is created just for these families to experience Christmas shopping.
Pre-registered and qualifying families will attend The Manger to choose gifts for their families. This year, 749 families representing 3,015 people have signed up for the event, which will be each night Dec. 10 through 18, except Dec. 14.
Hundreds of volunteers acting as personal shoppers, gift wrappers, stockers and greeters help make the event special for people who otherwise would have difficulty providing Christmas for their families.
“We even have gift wrapping, so when they open the trunk the kids can’t see what’s in there and spoil their Christmas,” Myers said.
Each adult can choose one adult gift and one large and two small ones for each child from infancy to age 18. Each family also receives one board game, a book and stocking stuffers.
Any leftover items are taken to 61st Avenue United Methodist Church’s Last Minute Toy Store in Nashville.
GraceWorks is seeking volunteers and donations for The Manger.
Volunteers are needed for the shopping nights (December 10th-18th, excluding Sunday). Volunteer shifts are 5pm-8:30pm. Click here to sign up: http://vols.pt/9DjaGa
Toys and gifts may be dropped off at the following locations:
- GraceWorks Ministries at both the Franklin and Fairview locations.
- Toys For Tots boxes. (Click this for a listing of all locations).
- Brentwood United Methodist Church (the gift bin is in the rear of the church)
Donations of gifts for The Manger, GraceWorks Ministries’ Christmas program, are lower this year than in previous years, organizers say.
“Adult and teen gifts are always harder to obtain, but this year’s donations to Toys for Tots are down, too,” said Brian Myers, GraceWorks church and community outreach coordinator. Collections in Williamson County for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots program go to The Manger.
Donated items for ages from infancy through senior adults should be new, with a value of about $30. Gifts can be placed in Toys for Tots collection boxes around Williamson County or brought to GraceWorks, 104 Southeast Parkway, Franklin.
The types of items needed include:
Grooming items:
Gift sets of toiletries
Makeup Kits
Bath and Body Sets
Blow Dryer, Curling Iron
Shaving Kits
Cologne, Perfume Sets
Hair Care Sets
Electronic Items:
MP3 Players
Speakers
headphones
Radios
AM/FM Alarm Clocks
Cameras
Phone Amplifiers (seniors)
Sports Items:
Team gear (Titans, Predators, University of Tennessee, etc.)
Baseball gloves or bats
Basketballs
Footballs
Soccer balls
Skateboards
Scooters
Bicycles
Misc:
Bibles (modern translation-some large print)
Daily devotionals
Photo albums
Scrapbooking sets
Tools/Automotive Care:
Tool sets
Leather work gloves
Tool belts, tool boxes
Car repair kits
Jumper cables
Auto organizers
Car wash sets
Accesories:
Watches, jewelry
Purses, wallets
Overnight bags
Duffel bags
Household Items:
Dish and glass sets
Pots/pans or bake ware sets
Toasters, crock pots, coffee makers
Electric heating pads
Flashlights
Towel sets, non-slip bath mats
Blankets
Lap throws
Sheet sets
Comforters
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