Christmas Connection Celebrates 30^th Anniversary

The Christmas Connection is celebrating thirty years of providing coats, toys, clothing and gifts to low income families during the Christmas season. Organized as a seasonal charity by founder Barbara Fagin in 1981, the local nonprofit expanded to year round operations in 2002.

Honorary Chairperson for the 30^th Anniversary Celebration is longtime volunteer, Barb Munneke.

In the early years, the organization borrowed vacant store fronts to use for Christmas Shopping Days. Families were screened for eligibility and referred by partner agencies including Community Action Agency, Department of Human Services and Catholic Charities. The mission of Christmas Connection has always been to treat those in need with dignity and respect while allowing them to personally select items to meet their needs in a welcoming department store atmosphere. The Christmas Store was set up each year totally by volunteers and client families shopped at scheduled times over a six day period.

Much of the original structure for referrals and shopping days is still in place today. Christmas Connection moved from the location in Capitol Hill in 2009 and purchased a former grocery store at SW 59^th and May Avenue. The new store allows space to accept donations of new and gently used clothing, house wares and other items throughout the year and provide additional programs. In 2010, over 1,000 families including more than 2,400 children were served through Christmas Shopping Days. Due to the generosity of donors and supporters, there is never a charge to the clients served.

Programs now include School Connections and Crisis Relief along with general shopping opportunities for families in need. School Connections provide school uniforms and supplies upon referral for students without other resources to obtain those items and allows students to stay in school. The Crisis Relief program is for families who have suffered a loss due to house fires, wild fires, storms, tornadoes, and floods. Families are referred by Red Cross and local fire departments and shop for household items lost plus clothing and furniture. All store inventory comes from donations of new and gently used items from the public and collection drives hosted by local businesses and organizations.

The Christmas Connection 30^th Anniversary Celebration will be held Friday, September 30th at Oak Tree Country Club. The evening will include memories and milestones of the past 30 years and incorporate the fundraising auction from the annual North Pole event. Tickets and table sponsorships are available by calling 634-2006 or on the website at www.christmasconnection.org

General Co-Chairmen for the event are Jill Farrand and Justin Rush. The Pearl Presenting Sponsor is Chesapeake Energy, with Gold Sponsors Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and Dell. For more information call (405) 634-2006, visit www.christmasconnection.org or find us on Facebook.