Dearborn Heights Corps Hosts Toy Shop for Families in need of Food and Gifts
*Christmas Toy Shop items
Thursday, December 15 The Salvation Army Dearborn Heights Corps hosted its annual Christmas Toy Shop. Multiple tables were set up holding children’s coats and clothing, as well as other items for families struggling to afford toys this Christmas.
In addition to the toys there were also gift cards for restaurants and grocery stores, and holiday food boxes with ingredients for diverse meal options that were donated as part of Bank of America’s generous “Bountiful Boxes” program in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.
*Major Valerie Carr handles Bank of America "Bountiful Boxes"
To meet the spiritual needs of clients of the Toy Shop, a table was set up with bibles and an offer to pray with anyone who desired it.
* Dearborn Heights Corps prayer table
Jennifer, a beneficiary of the Toy Shop and other programs offered through the Dearborn Heights Corps Community Center voiced her gratitude for everything offered:
“This location is very helpful. The Salvation Army is very helpful, period. Because in times of need, like when I had my elecricity shut off, they helped me get it back on. When I didn’t have food for me and my children, they helped with food. Clothes and everything, even worship.”
*A woman looks through toy shop items
A single mother taking care of six children and one grandchild, Jennifer has been coming to the Dearborn Height Corps Community Center for 10 years. And despite her difficult financial situation she still finds ways to help others, such as a referring a friend she knew was struggling to The Salvation Army’s services, and putting change in red kettles.
When asked what she would say to others giving to red kettles she replied:
“Thank you, because you’re helping me. And even the little change I do have when I see a red kettle I put in because I know they’re helping me, and other mothers like me.”
At the Toy Shop she picked up gift cards and winter hats for her children, a coat for her granddaughter, stocking stuffers, a grocery store gift card and one of Bank of America’s “Bountiful Boxes.”
* Children's coats available at the Toy Shop
The generous donation of food and goods to The Dearborn Heights Toy Shop is putting presents under the tree and dinner on the table for people like Jennifer this Christmas season. However, the need continues all year round. The Salvation Army is dedicated to spreading Love Beyond Christmas through its life-saving programs all year round.
If you would like to help in this mission, you can volunteer or donate to the Dearborn Heights Corps Virtual Red Kettle, or in physical red kettles throughout Metro Detroit.