The Union Gospel Mission (UGM) is working tirelessly to make the holiday season special for local families in need through its annual Christmas Gift Hamper Store.
This year, the focus of the store is on children, with a call for donations that will be transformed into beautifully wrapped gift hampers.
Nick Wells, the spokesperson for UGM, emphasized the significant increase in demand for their services this year. He highlighted that the organization’s food hamper program is experiencing unprecedented demand, with longer lines for meals being observed.
“Christmas can be a challenging time for many families struggling to make ends meet. Our goal is to alleviate some of that stress and make the holiday season a bit brighter for them,” Wells shared during an interview with 1130 NewsRadio.
UGM is welcoming donations of sports equipment, popular toys, such as Nerf guns and Legos, headphones, and clothing items to help create memorable gifts for children in need.
Wells expressed the organization’s specific need for more sports equipment and brand-name toys like Barbies and Legos, as these items are highly sought after by kids. He also encouraged individuals to donate any new or unused toys that could bring joy to children during the holiday season.
This year, UGM has already provided gifts to 490 children, but the demand continues to grow, reflecting the ongoing issues of financial hardship within communities, especially during the festive season when expenses tend to rise.
“We aim to ensure that every child has a special gift to unwrap on Christmas Day,” Wells emphasized.
The Christmas Gift Hamper Store by UGM has been a comforting presence in the community since 2017, working to spread joy and alleviate some of the pressures faced by families in need during the holidays.