MUST Ministries Collecting Items for Thousands of Children

MUST Ministries is seeking donations of new toys, hats, scarves, gloves, underwear, socks, pajamas, games and more as it prepares to open the doors of its three Christmas Toy Shops benefiting children in need.

The annual MUST Toy Shops brighten the holidays for more than 5,000 children of all ages living in poverty in Cobb and Cherokee Counties. The department store-style setup allows parents who otherwise would not be able to put gifts under the Christmas tree to select toys for their children just as they would at any other store.

“I cannot imagine the anguish parents would experience at Christmas if they were not able to provide gifts for their children on a holiday that is renowned for giving,” said MUST President and CEO Ike Reighard. “This is why I treasure the opportunity MUST Ministries has in providing gifts this year to about 4,500 children during the 2015 Christmas Season. I encourage anyone who has the gift of giving to join MUST in helping so no child goes empty handed on Christmas Day."

The Toy Shops’ inventory relies on donations from the community of new and unwrapped dolls and action figures, stuffed animals, clothing and accessories, electronics, puzzles and family games, bikes, skateboards, sports equipment, and more. Items needed most include new underwear, socks, hats, scarves, gloves, fleece blankets and gifts for teenagers and tweens.

Donors can also create baby boxes for the youngest Toy Shop recipients by filling wrapped cardboard boxes with diapers, pajamas, blankets, bottles, and other infant necessities. Other ways to help include making Christmas cards for the families and stuffing stockings. For a full list of needed items and instructions, visit www.mustministries.org and click on “Toy Shop.”

Donations will be received at the MUST Donation Center at 55 Chastain Road, Suite 110, in Kennesaw between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, through Dec. 21.

The addition of a third Toy Shop location this year has significantly increased the number of children registered to receive gifts from the 3,830 served in 2014. Families register in advance and come shop by appointment beginning Dec. 8.

MUST Ministries is a non-profit, faith-based organization helping 32,000 people a year in our community break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. MUST Ministries provides basic necessities such as food, housing, employment and clothing, free of charge.