December 18th, 2014
Nonprofit group offers ‘dignity’ through discounted Christmas gift program

FROM SUBMITTED REPORTS

Volunteers for Mission San Marcos and two local churches are collecting new, unwrapped gifts for their Affordable Christmas program, now in its second holiday season.

The gifts program offers “a hand up, not just a handout” to struggling families by them selling toys, clothes and other merchandise at steeply discounted prices, said Emily Barber, a master social worker who serves as the nonprofit agency’s youth programs director. The program is co-sponsored this year by River Stone Church, which meets at Travis Elementary School in San Marcos, and Eikon Church, which meets at Texas Old Town in Kyle.

“Families know their kids best and different kids want different presents. … We want to provide them the dignity of buying the presents themselves, picking them out, and wrapping them for their children,” Barber said.

The Affordable Christmas “store” will be open Dec. 21 at the San Marcos Recreation Hall in City Park. Organizers say they have already selected eligible families and do not have the capacity to serve others.

Gift donations can be left at these locations, all in San Marcos: