Outreach Community Ministries Christmas Store Provides Affordable Gifts

Outreach Community Center (OCC) in Carol Stream on Saturday hosted its annual Christmas Store, allowing families to shop for affordable Christmas gifts. 

This year, the Christmas Store at OCC served more than 400 families who shopped for more than 1,000 children. More than 50 churches, businesses, organizations, and families collected more than 4,000 donated gifts to stock the store. And it took the collective effort of more than 400 volunteers to help create this joy-filled day for the families.

From the very first Christmas Store in 1995, OCC has had three specific goals for the store.

The first purpose is to provide an affordable place for the families in the community to have Christmas for their families. This event allows parents to choose their own gifts for their children that are appropriate and enjoyable. The dramatic reduction in price helps families conserve their own limited resources and still provide gifts for their children.

The second purpose of the store is to provide an opportunity for local organizations and businesses to service the community. Area churches, businesses, and many other organizations often look for service opportunities during the holiday season. The Christmas Store is a great way to harnesses the generous spirit of so many people by providing the chance to serve our community through gift drives, fundraising, and volunteering. 

The third is to show the love of Christ and what better way than at Christmas time! The shoppers are matched up with a shopper’s helper who personally navigates them through the store. It’s a wonderful time for the staff and volunteers at OCC to say, “God loves you and we want you to have a great Christmas with your family." 

The proceeds from the Christmas Store are used throughout the year to help families who are experiencing a financial crisis and need assistance from community service programs at OCC, a division of Outreach Community Ministries (OCM) located in Wheaton.

The Outreach Community Center in Carol Stream provides Youth Development Services and Family Stabilization Services for individuals and families in crisis who are residents in the greater Carol Stream area. 

Outreach Community Ministries is a comprehensive, multifaceted Christian social services agency with several family service centers located throughout Central DuPage County. OCM exists to help people from the community and members from local churches extend compassion and support to those in need.