Once a year, the Village of Hope experiences a truly magical day: it snows in Orange County! Every December, Orange County Rescue Mission hosts Magic at the Mission, a celebration of the Christmas season for everyone who is part of the Rescue Mission programs. There is nothing quite like it; the excitement that lights up a child’s face as they play in snow so rarely found in California, the warmth of the community as volunteers come together to bless our residents, and the joy of a parent as they choose gifts especially for their children. It is such a beautiful reminder of the true spirit of Christmas.
This event is dear to my heart because it allows us to give the residents of the Rescue Mission a joyful Christmas, which many have rarely experienced. This Christmas, they are able to celebrate in a safe community without the worries of whether they will be able to provide food or shelter for their little ones.
A unique aspect of this event is that parents are able to “shop” for Christmas presents for their children! A variety of toys and gifts are available for them to look through and select a few gifts to give to their children on Christmas morning. For many, this is meaningful in ways we cannot understand. Due to situations such as homelessness and poverty, many of these parents have not been able to give their children a gift on Christmas day. This is a blessing to both parents and children as they experience the joy of giving and receiving a gift picked especially with them in mind. Children too, are able to pick gifts for their parents, which is an exciting experience for them as they learn the selfless joy of giving.
To make this event happen, we need help from our friends in the community! We are in need of Christmas gifts for both children and adults to create our “shop” selection for the Rescue Mission residents. Listed below are some gift ideas.
Toys and baby items for infants through toddlers:
54 toys and baby items.
Toys needed for 1 year olds through 2 year olds:
30 toys for boys.
45 toys for girls.
Suggested toy items:
Big crayons, puzzles, board games, books, play sets, blocks, action figures, stuffed animals, trains, cars, dolls
Toys needed for 8 year olds through 11 year olds:
30 toys for girls.
Suggested toy items:
Art kits, craft kits, Lego sets, play sets, action figures, books, board games, card games, snap together models, stuffed animals, Nerf balls
Toys needed for 12+ year olds:
30 toys for girls.
Suggested toy items:
Art kits, craft kits, books, board games, card games, bracelets, socks, hair accessories, purses/bags, journals, water bottles, costume jewelry, scarves, scented lotions.
Gifts needed for Moms and Dads, under $20:
50 gifts for Dads.
200 gifts for Moms.
Suggested items for Dads:
Wallets, watches, journals, socks, hooded sweatshirts, baseball caps, journals, water bottles, books
Suggested items for Moms:
Purses/bags, journals, water bottles, costume jewelry, scarves, scented lotions, socks, make-up (mascara, eye liner, lip balm), hair accessories
As you can see, we have a lot of families and gift giving at Christmas! Christmas for families with Orange County Rescue Mission happens because of donors. All donations can be dropped off at 1 Hope Drive in Tustin, Monday through Saturday from 8a-5p. Please do not wrap the gifts, but donations of wrapping paper, gift bags, and tissue paper are greatly appreciated, so the residents are able to wrap the gifts themselves.
Thank you for your support as we work together to bless families this Christmas!
Giving online is easy, safe, and quick. Your donation will make an immediate impact to provide meals, shelter and services for a homeless family in desperate need of a hand up to self-sufficiency.
