Toy store serves children at Christmas

Dec. 16—The First Baptist Church of Hudson's toy store ministry has shared the love of Jesus during the holiday season during the past 10 years.

"Toys are a great thing, but Jesus is greater," said Diane West, team leader of the toy store.

The ministry works with Caldwell County Schools for referrals, as well as referrals from church members.

The program allows families to make appointments to visit the store where they are also provided a snack, West said.

During the visit, parents, grandparents and guardians get the chance to shop for presents for their children.

While they are there, the parents, grandparents and guardians are provided with homemade treats. Volunteers also help them pick out the toys.

Fundraising for the annual toy store ministry begins in February. In some cases, people also help by donating gifts. One student set up a cardboard bin at West Caldwell High School that he then delivered to the toy store for distribution.

The gifts are available are for children from birth to age 15.

Excess gifts will go to the Baptist Children's Home as well as the Brenner Children's Hospital, in Winston-Salem.

"It's all about sharing the love of Jesus at Christmas," West said.

This year, the group will be coordinating with the Copper Basin Crisis Center in Ducktown, Tennessee. Ducktown is a coal mining community where there is great need during the holiday season.

Along with toys for the children, everyone hears the Gospel presented during their visit. Counselors are on hand to speak with guests and Bibles and a variety of Christian books are available to children of all ages.

West explained how a lot of the ladies of the church in the past had crafted hand-made stockings to be filled with candy and given to the children. As many of the ladies have passed away, stockings have been purchased and filled with candy for the children.

Many volunteers work rotating schedules, replenishing the toys from the tables with toys from the stock room. When guests select toys, volunteers carry the items to make the event carefree for their guests.

Volunteers who worked the event this year include West, Denise and Jimmy Council, Maria and Chris Austin, Lisa Reed, Donna and Mitchell Laws, and Tammy and Morgan Seagle.

Through the years, thousands of toys have been provided to children at Christmas through the ministry.