Help Share the Gift of Giving!

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS

December 11th-13th

We all know the joy of giving. It's what drives many of us to donate or volunteer during the holidays. However, charity often robs struggling families of that same joy. Rather than choosing gifts for local families, our Community Christmas market creates a space where families can shop for their own kids and buy gifts at about 70-90% off retail value. In addition to letting families help support the ministry and make it more sustainable for future years, this model also preserves the dignity of parents by letting them provide for their own children at a price point that works with their budget. Furthermore, every family meets with a staff member or volunteer who gets to know them and their unique gifts and needs, focusing on restoring relationships instead of mere consumerism.

How Can You Help?

Volunteer

The Market needs lots of volunteers to help with greeting, assisting shoppers, wrapping gifts, and more. Volunteer applications should be submitted before volunteering.

Donate

The Market requires lots of gifts to create a real store atmosphere where parents actually have options to choose from. We only accept brand-new toys and gifts or monetary donations. Gifts can be dropped off at COM.

Pray

The goal of this event is to cultivate new relationships, connect local families with important resources, and point people to the story of Jesus. Please pray for this event to be impactful in many lives.

Volunteer Here

Donate Here

Amazon Toy List

*Purchase gifts from our toy list on Amazon by clicking the button above!

Check out this video on how to sign up to volunteer for Community Christmas!

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREES

You can specifically support this event by hosting a Community Christmas tree, or purchasing gifts from a Community Christmas tree. During the month of November, businesses can set up a tree in their workplace offering customers the opportunity to purchase gifts for the market.

COM will provide gift wishes in the form of red paper ornaments, and we can also lend you a tree if needed.

People who visit your business can select a wish, purchase the gift, and return it with the ornament to your tree by December 3rd.

A COM volunteer will retrieve the gifts and put them in storage until the market opens.

We hope you will partner with us in making the first Community Christmas a success!

Why a Christmas Market that Charges for Gifts?

Although traditional Christmas gift charity programs often give away toys and gifts for free, a growing number of poverty alleviation groups, including COM, are moving toward a Christmas market model where gifts are set at a super-affordable price. Although this may seem backwards if we're trying to help low-income families, this can actually improve the overall experience and creates a better environment to tackle poverty in the long-run. Check out these videos which offer a deep dive into the reasons many poverty alleviation groups recommend a Christmas Market.

Application Process For Community Christmas

Community Christmas Applications are closed for this year.

Community Partners

Bolivar United Methodist Church

First Baptist Church of Bolivar

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Bolivar First Assembly of God

Mt. Gilead Methodist Church

Bolivar Family Church

St. Alban's Episcopal Church

Life Church

Seventh Day Adventist Church

Heritage Baptist Church

Souled Out Ministries

First Christian Church

Southern Hills Baptist Church

Ozark Offset Printing

Community Christmas Tree Hosts

Walmart

Shoe Sensation

Boone's BBQ

Brenda's Cafe

Cattle Baron's Boutique/Modern Lou

Commerce Bank

Bill Roberts Chevrolet

Village Boutique

El Rodeo

OakStar Bank

Tractor Supply

Life Church

First Baptist Church of Bolivar

Southern Hills Baptist Church

St. Alban's Episcopal Church

Walgreen's

Community Christmas can't happen without local churches and businesses. Volunteering, providing toys for specific age groups, giving financial donations, supplying meals for Christmas dinners, or even hosting a Community Christmas Tree can help. Every effort, big or small, helps us bring joy and hope to families in need during the holiday season.

Our community partners play a vital role in making Community Christmas possible! If your church or business would like to partner with COM for Community Christmas, please reach out to Kristi at kristib@bolivarcom.org or 417-326-2769 x 1503.

AT THE MARKET

At the market, parents will be greeted, and then guided through their assigned shopping time where they can personally choose gifts for their children. While parents shop, childcare will be available. Families can even take pictures with Santa! It’s a special way to celebrate the season and make sure every family has a merry Christmas.