Community Christmas Shoppe Launches Donation Drive to Bring Christmas to Local Families

Nov. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- Camarillo, Calif.,  November 7, 2011 -- With the economy continuing to slump, unemployment high and a recovery that looks uneven at best, a local non-profit has redoubled its efforts to ensure that area families are able to provide toys and gifts for their children this Christmas. The Community Christmas Shoppe, a program of ACTION http://actionvc.org/, has launched a new facebook page, website and branding program as part of its 8th gift-giving event. Five area churches throughout Ventura County are setting up "Shoppe" and opening their doors in early December to under-resourced families who have been invited to shop for and choose new, donated toys, games and gifts for their children ages 1-18.

"Our goal is to meet the needs of area families struggling to provide a Christmas gift for their children as well as  provide an environment that maintains the dignity of the parents by allowing them to choose their own gifts in a store venue," says Kirk DeWitt, ACTION CEO and Mission and Community/World Pastor at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village.

Christmas Shoppe is organized by ACTION and hosted and staffed by area church members to meet the needs of area families identified by local agencies, and organizations that provide family social services. Last year, nearly 1,500 local families were assisted by nearly 1,000 volunteers who helped them shop for more than 10,000 gifts.

"We expect that the need among local families will be even greater this year," noted Don Cole, program manager for Christmas Shoppe.  "Our strategy was to use social media to get the word out about Christmas Shoppe to help drive more participation. We've added a new logo to our donation boxes, which we are making available to area businesses, churches, and nonprofits. We are asking community members to host a donation box," he added. Once the box is filled with donated toys and gifts, Christmas Shoppe volunteers will arrange for pick-up. To donate or agree to host a donation box, go to the ACTION website at http://actionvc.org/ , contact ACTION at actionfoundation@verizon.net or click on the Facebook fan age at http://www.facebook.com/actionfoundation.

Community Christmas Shoppe will be hosted at the following sites on these dates in December:
•   Calvary Chapel Nexus, Camarillo - December 10
•   Bethany Church on the Hill, Thousand Oaks - December 10
•   StoneBridge Community Church, Simi Valley - December 10
•   Horizon Foursquare Church, Ventura - December 10
•   The Church @ Parkview, Port Hueneme - December 17

About Christmas Shoppe
Community Christmas Shoppe is organized by ACTION and hosted and staffed  by area church members to meet the needs of area families who have been identified by local agencies, and organizations that provide social services and affordable housing. Last year, nearly 1,500 local residents were helped by nearly 1,000 volunteers who helped them shop for more than 10,000 gifts.

About ACTION
ACTION (Area Christians Taking Initiative on Needs), is a local network of churches across Ventura County that engage Christians in service to transform their communities. ACTION partners with area agencies to meet community needs by connecting Christian volunteers to serve residents in need. http://actionvc.org/ .