Wed, December 11th      |     Volunteers arrive at 5:00PM

Thank you for considering a role on our team for this incredibly important event– you can sign up for a position using the form at the bottom of the page.

Our goal for this event goes deeper than simply providing gifts to families in need. It’s not that the gifts aren’t important; they can help restore a sense of normalcy and reduce the parents stress and mental load, but the focus of tonight is really on blessing and caring for parents so that they can care for their families. It’s a night of copowerment; where guests and volunteers alike experience God’s love and transformation. Here, guests shop for a gift for their kid(s) and so that they can say, “I choose that for you” on Christmas morning. While their gifts are being wrapped, we can offer a spa room, delicious meal, live music, clothing boutique and more!

The Christmas Store requires many volunteers to make the night memorable; check out the different roles and sign up for a position that feels like the best fit for you!

Preparation

This event starts long before we actually open our doors to our guests. It takes many loving hands and generous hearts to prepare our space and stock our gift tables.
If you are unable to come in for the actually event, please consider helping with the preparation.

Donate Gifts

We need gifts to stock our store! Our goal is to have more gifts than kids signed up so that the last parent through still has a choice. Drop off donations on Sundays or during office hours.
Low on funds but love to shop? We need people to go pick out toys with money donated for gifts (See Marissa for more info).

Donate Money

We are accepting financial donations both in person and online via Givelify (please specify funds are for the Christmas Store).
Your donation will help us with food and drink, the spa room, gift baskets, toys and more.

Organize Tables

Help us sort through gifts and make sure they end up on the appropriate age table. We also like to bundle smaller gifts together so that each gift is comparable in value.
We will do most of our set up Tuesday night, December 10th at 6:00PM.

Volunteer Roles

This event takes around 25 volunteers to fully staff. There are positions for our extroverts that have you chatting with guests all
night, and positions for our introverts where you can hunker down and focus on a task. Whatever your personality, what ever your skill set, there is role for you here!

Guest Helper

Role Description:
Act as our guests guide for the night. Lead them to each station. Assist with any questions/needs
The Heart:
We want this to be a highly relational event. The guest helper will act as a friendly face that the guest can really get to know throughout the night instead of being tossed from volunteer to volunteer, our hope is for our guest helper to really build a connection with our guests. Get to know their story, ask about their kids, check in on how they are really doing.

Cook

Role Description:
Coordinate ingredients with Marissa. Arrive early for set up. Prepare hot hors d’oeuvres. Prepare buffet table. Set up drink counter.
The Heart:
We want our guests to feel truly spoiled. Now is the time to break out your fancy recipes and channel your inner artistic chef. We want to make sure that people leave with full bellies and even fuller hearts. This position requires little to no interaction with the guests, instead you will be coordinating with servers.

Serve Food/Drink

Role Description:
Coordinate with cooks. Circulate event with hor d’oeuvres trays. Maintain buffet and drink counter.

The Heart:
We want guests to feel truly spoiled. Help our guest feel extra special and fancy by offering them hor d’oeuvres off a silver plater. We are specifically looking for men to fill this role to help us subvert the traditionally roles guests are used to.
While not required, it adds to the fun to dress up like traditional servers.

Toy Store Worker

Role Description:
Help guests navigate gift tables. Restock tables as needed
The Heart:
The tables can be quite overwhelming for our guest as they first come into the auditorium. Toy Store Workers can help guests from getting lost in the chaos by locating specific items and making recommendations. Helping carry the mental load of navigating the store allows our guest and guest helper extra space to build connections.

Spa Worker

Role Description:
Help our guests with paraffin wax melts. Explain spa options available
The Heart:
We want guests to feel truly spoiled. For a lot of our guests, physical touch has been a dangerous and painful thing. We
want them to experience the loving and healing side of touch through massages, paraffin wax melts, and hair services. Because of the physical contact required, only women are allowed in the spa.

Gift Wrapper

Role Description:
Wrap gifts for guests. Keep family gifts together
The Heart:
A lot of guests don’t have the space, time, supplies, or privacy to wrap the gifts for their kids. While our guests are enjoying the rest of the Christmas Store, we can take gift wrapping off their to-do list.
This position requires little to no interaction with the guests, instead you will be coordinating with guest helpers and greeters. This is a great role for anyone artsy and/or detail oriented.

Greeter/Security

Role Description:
Let guests into the building. Help guests with gifts out to their cars. Keep guests safe.
The Heart:
Greeters are the first face guests are meeting for our event. We want them to feel welcome, wanted, and safe.
Our greeters must be willing to act as security- Speak to Marissa to sign up for this role.

Translator

Role Description:
Act as a guide for Spanish speaking guests. Lead them to each station. Assist with any questions/needs
The Heart:
We want to be a space that is welcoming and inviting to everyone! One of the best ways we do that for our Spanish speaking
guests is facilitating an opportunity for them to connect with someone in a language they are comfortable in.

 

 

FAQ

What time should be at the church?
We are asking all of our volunteers to come at 5:00PM for orientation and prayer.
Cooks may need to come in sooner depending on menu.

What should I wear?
Something comfortable and that you can move/work in, but this is also a Christmas party! Festive attire is encouraged to help create a celebratory atmosphere.

Can I bring a friend to help?
Absolutely! Just be sure to share this link with them or help them fill out the form so that we have accurate numbers.