750 underprivileged families will shop at the 17th annual Union Rescue Mission Christmas Store
More than 2,000 children will receive Christmas gifts this year after their parents shop for presents at the Union Rescue Mission (URM) 17th annual Christmas Store starting on Thursday, December 18 at 10:00 a.m. and closing at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19 at URM headquarters located at 545 S. San Pedro St. in downtown Los Angeles.
“While there are a number of programs out there that provide toys and presents to underprivileged children during the holidays, URM takes it a step further by providing not only the gifts, but the experience of shopping for, selecting, and wrapping the gifts,” said Union Rescue Mission CEO Andy Bales. “Each family involved with the annual Christmas Store has the dignity of being able to provide their children with gifts they select themselves, wrap and give to their children personally.”
URM services, the Missions offsite facility for mothers and children, Hope Gardens Family Center as well as 7 neighboring missions and service providers helping children and families on Skid Row will be invited to shop free of charge. We are preparing to serve 750 families who will be given tickets to shop for Christmas gifts in the Mission’s Christmas Store. Mothers and fathers will be assisted by volunteers to pick one toy or gift for each of their children ages infant through 17 years. They will then be assisted in wrapping the gifts in the department store-like atmosphere. While the mothers shop, volunteers will help their children shop for their parents and personally wrap the gifts and create their own gift cards.
If you would like to get involved, we still need new and unwrapped toys and other gift items. You can drop your donations off 7 days a week at the Union Rescue Mission security office located at 545 S. San Pedro, Los Angeles, CA 90013. For additional information you can call 213-347-6300.
Please note that all of our volunteer slots for this event have been filled. Here’s a list of the items we still need:
URM Christmas Store Gift Suggestions—new and unwrapped:
Infants and Toddlers
- Safe Baby Toys: rattles, dolls, etc.
- Dolls
- Walkers
- Musical and colorful toys
- Clothing, Jackets, Sleepers, Blankets
- Tricycles
Teenagers — Urgent Need!
- ELECTRONICS!
- Remote Control Cars, Trains
- Foam Remote Control Flying Saucers
- Portable Boom boxes
- Portable (Headset) DVD, CD & Cassette
- Players (like Discman/Walkman)
- Radios / Cameras
- Watches, Fashion Jewelry
- Jewelry Boxes
Body & bath products: (body sprays, lotions, perfume, cologne etc)
- Dress up and make-up kits
Sports Equipment: (soccer balls, duffel bags, basket balls, footballs, tennis rackets, etc.)
- Skateboarding equipment
- Bicycles
- T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, sports Jerseys
- Wallets
Elementary School Age
ELECTRONICS
- Cars & Car Sets
- Fashion Dolls, Barbie Dolls
- Compact mirrors
- Bicycles
- Sports Equipment (soccer balls, etc.)
Gifts for Mothers Section – The children shop for presents to give to their mothers on Christmas
- Make-up kits
- Fashion Jewelry
- Sweaters
- Blouses
- Holiday socks
- Scarves
- Robes
- Pajamas
- Hand bags
- Body sprays, perfumes
- Body care sets: (lotions, bath products)
- Wallets
- Bed sheet sets
- Towels
- Cookware
- Kitchen mittens, cloths, towels
- Clothing and Protective Wear
- Hair Accessories
- Nail Polish Sets
- Electronic & Board Game
- Purses and Backpacks
- Clothing, Warm Jackets, Rain wear
Donations can be dropped off 7 days a week at the Union Rescue Mission security office located at 545 S. San Pedro, Los Angeles, CA 90013. For additional information you can call 213-347-6300.
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JIll Hall
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Carlos Guaico