Local organization holding 21st annual Christmas toy distribution

 

ELKHART, Ind., --- Amid higher inflation this year and greater need for help in the community, several organizations across Michiana are working to make sure kids have presents under the tree come Christmas, including Guidance Ministries in Elkhart.

Guidance Ministries' toy distribution has provided hundreds of families in need with Christmas presents for more than two decades, and the organization said the need is even greater this year.

“It’s actually very helpful because I only get paid every two weeks so it’s hard and everything is pricey now,” said Jewel Cox.

Cox was one of hundreds of parents who signed up for Guidance Ministries’ Christmas outreach program.

Cox said without the nonprofit's help, her daughter wouldn't be waking up on Christmas morning with many gifts under the tree.

“I would probably get her a little bit of stuff obviously what I could afford but this helps out. It makes it easier to get her more stuff.”

“By being able to provide toys then parents don’t have that burden of oh my gosh how am I going to provide toys too and make that rent,” added Pastor Lori King, the Founder & CEO of Guidance Ministries.

Guidance Ministries first started the tradition in 2001 to spread joy to families who weren’t able to sign up for other holiday assistance programs in Elkhart County.

“When all of the other gift programs are done, we wait and then we do our sign up,” said Pastor King.  “You know those kids they expect some gifts under the tree and if mom or dad has missed the deadline for the others there really is no other resource other than Guidance Ministries.”

This outreach program is different because it offers later signup and provides presents to older teenagers, so no child feels left out.

 “We are the only ones that provide for the older children, the 15-,16- & 17-year-olds. Most other programs, top out, age out at 14 years of age,” King explained.

“Typically, the average is seven gifts per child as an average. Now each year is different depending on the influx of the donations that I receive.”

Pastor King told ABC57 although turnout isn’t expected to reach a record high this year, she said the need is up from last year.

Despite donations being down this year they are prepared to help parents like Cox make Christmas special for their kids.

“We expect that it would be higher and so I anticipate probably 300 or 400 this year…and so we make sure that those kids all have toys.”

You did have to sign up for the distribution happening next week, however the deadline has already passed.

The ministry said they receive toy donations all year long from the community, other organizations, toy drives, and even money that allows them to go shop for toys.

More information on how to donate can be found here.