The True Heart of Christmas: The Dignity, Joy, and Mission of Our Christmas Store

The joy is palpable, the warehouse is clear, and our hearts are full. We are thrilled to share about the 3rd Annual Streetwise Georgia Christmas Store, an event that once again proved the transformative power of dignity and self-sufficiency. 

Because of the overwhelming generosity of our donors, volunteers, and partners, we were able to serve 152 families. This equates to 469 children from 0 – 18 years old (173 of which were teens). There was a total of 1,714 items sold, of which, 130 were gift cards for teens.

But the true story of the Christmas Store isn’t told in the quantity of gifts; it’s told in the quality of the change we saw in the lives of the parents who shopped with us. 

The Mission Shift: Making Parents the Heroes 

At Streetwise Georgia, we are dedicated to moving people from dependency to self-sufficiency. We embrace the mission of providing a “hand up,” and a core part of that means removing barriers that cause shame or diminished self-worth. 

In our Christmas Store, parents and guardians were empowered to shop with dignity for brand-new, high-quality gifts for their children. 

• The Power of Choice: Parents entered our festive “store” and were given the incredible ability to select the exact gifts that they knew their child would adore. This simple act honors their knowledge of their child and preserves their role as the loving provider. 

• The Investment in Dignity: Parents had the opportunity and joy to choose the presents. To further the investment and to enhance a parent’s dignity, they do pay for the presents, but for pennies on the dollar. A $75 gift card for a teen was purchased for $20. A top-level Lego set for $20. Most brand-new presents acquired for $1 – $15. This approach to the Store allows a parent the joy and dignity of choosing for their child and providing Christmas for their family. And they leave with joy, and an increased faith in God for providing in the Season of Giving.

• Reinforcing Self-Sufficiency: The parent leaves knowing they personally secured a wonderful surprise for their child. It validates their love, honors their worth, and reinforces the foundational truth of our mission: they are capable, worthy, and essential to their family’s joy. 

Thank You, Volunteers and Donors! 

This life-changing event would simply not be possible without our dedicated volunteers and generous donors. You provided the resources and the manpower to ensure that every parent who walked through our doors was treated with the highest respect. 

Thank you for embracing our mission and for your belief in the dignity and potential of every person who walks through our doors. 

Your support truly makes every day, including Christmas, a testament to loving people and meeting their needs.