The Holiday Market returns! This event is our mission event benefitting children and families who were not already sponsored for meals and gifts for the holidays through Fairfax City social services. It’s our way of sharing the love of Christ with families who’d otherwise miss out on the celebration. On Friday, December 18, 5:00–8:00pm, we offer parents who have been qualified by social workers a night to come select a new, unwrapped, age-appropriate toy for each of their children. They can also pick out gently used books and coats to add to their holiday gift giving and can use our gift wrap room to prepare their children’s gifts. All of this is offered at no cost to them. In addition, parents receive a $20 Walmart gift card and, thanks to a generous endowment from the church, a $30 Butterball gift check.

This is a churchwide mission event, and we need plenty of hands and help to make it possible. For those willing to give, we need your donations of new, unwrapped toys for kids ages 0–17 years, as well as new or gently used winter coats for children and adults and $20 Walmart gift cards. Starting November 15, you can place toys and coats in the blue bins in the Narthex or the large box in the corner of the church office, and you can drop off gift cards with Dawn in the office. Tax deductible receipts are available for donations.

Want to take a step further? We are looking for volunteers to help set up, run, and clean up after the event. A sign-up sheet with one hour time slots will be available online and in Snippets by the beginning of December, and we encourage you to sign up for whatever time commitment you are able. If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Carter at lesliecarterre@aol.com.