Bringing Cheer to Local Families

A wonderland of toys is tucked away in this warehouse in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Moms and dads from all over the area came to fill their carts with presents to go under the tree.

Major James Allison of the Salvation Army said, “The Christmas Depot is the living out of God’s love for mankind. When you enter this curtain you’re going to experience the love of God as toys are placed in your cart and as gifts are given to you of clothing and food so that your Christmas can be brighter.”  

In this weeklong event, the Salvation Army worked alongside the United States Marine Corps, Toys for Tots, and Operation Blessing, to help parents struggling to provide gifts for their children.

Toys for Tots representative, Staff Sergeant Mark Tuminaro explained, “We want to give you hope at Christmas so that you’re not left behind so that you don’t feel left behind because there are more important things to be worried about like paying bills, keeping a roof over your head. And if we can provide a toy that will assist you in keeping the lights on in the house and a roof over your head, that is what we’re here for.”

“If I didn’t have this in my life, Christmas would be pretty miserable. Christmas wouldn’t be what it is without this," said Stephanie Corley

Stephanie Corley is shopping for her three young children.  She’s a single mom who didn’t expect much to be under the tree this year. Today, that all changed.

She went on to say, “As a parent being able to come here is such a blessing. That you guys have volunteers that are so loving and caring and people that are willing to donate their time and money so that I can have a Christmas so my children can have a Christmas, it’s just amazing.”

As vice president of Operation Blessing’s Disaster Relief programs, Jody Gettys understands what coming to the Christmas depot means to these parents.

“Toys are brand new, in packages, on shelves. They get to pick out the toys that they know their children like,” Jody said, “and they get to wrap those up at home and then put them under the tree to provide Christmas just like you or I would.”

And after they finished filling their carts with gifts, everyone received a full bag of groceries from Operation Blessing.

Jody Gettys went on to say, “So in addition to providing volunteers, Operation Blessing brought our semi truck here full of food for these families to have Christmas dinner. So behind me are 4500 bags packed full of cranberry sauce and all the fixings to make a beautiful dinner for their family.”

Stephanie Corley was very grateful, “I just want to tell everybody thank you. There are so many people out there who are not grateful for what they have but when you don’t have it, every little bit makes a difference so thank you. Time, money, materials, everything. Thank you.”

Jody Gettys concluded, “Every day that I’m out in the field I think about our partners who give 10, 20, 30 dollars a month to make it possible for us to be able to bless families all over the world and all over the nation. But here at Christmas time it’s even more special so for those of you, our partners, our CBN family who give to Operation Blessing, thank you. Because we couldn’t make Christmas possible for families like this without your support, your prayers, and your love.”