An unexpected item arrived in my mailbox a few days ago. It was Amazon’s Holiday Kids Gift Book. The 99-page book was reminiscent of the Toys “R” Us catalog I remember from my childhood years. The arrival of this item got me thinking about the moms who are dreading the holiday season because of limited financial resources.
It also reminded me of a conversation my husband and I recently had with our three children. We were talking about why serving others as a family is so important to us. During the conversation, my husband shared with them his childhood memories of receiving Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas presents from benevolent church members and charitable organizations. He has talked about the courage and humility that his late mother, raising four children largely on her own, showed in seeking out help on behalf of her children. It can be so incredibly hard to ask others for help.
For some mamas, limited financial resources have been a consistent state of life for their household. For others, perhaps a sudden life change, such as the pandemic, has impacted their family and made access to disposable income a challenge. Maybe you are a friend to a mom who is worried about how her family will make it through the upcoming holiday season.
There are several local organizations that are currently taking applications for holiday-related assistance. Please consider applying if your family could use a little help right now. Or, share these resources with a mom friend who may find the information to be beneficial.
1. Sharing Tree – Christmas Connection
Provides new toys for children, as well as clothing, shoes, coats, books and Christmas decorations for families. *Requires a referral from one of their partner agencies.
2. Red Andrews Christmas Dinner
The Red Andrews Christmas Dinner will be distributing food, and toys at Santa Fe South Charter School on a first come, first served basis on Christmas Eve – 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. The food and toys will be placed in your vehicle.To prevent the spread of Covid, there will be no inside dining in 2022.
Santa Fe South Charter School
Crossroads – 6921 Plaza Mayor Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK
3. Toys for Tots OKC
Applications for toy requests are available until November 20th. After the deadline, no additional applications will be accepted. The pick-up location for toys will be included in the application approval letter.
4. Mission Mid-Del “Toy Store”
Families in need can apply through Mid-Del area schools to get new and gently used toys for Christmas. The “Toy Store” is typically the first Tuesday and Wednesday of December. For additional information contact Meadowood Baptist Church at (405) 737-7684.
5. Oklahoma 211
If you have needs beyond the holiday assistance resources provided here, dial 211 on your phone for information about local social services and resources available to families year-round.
“Having a need and needing help is not a sign that you’re weak, it’s a sign that you’re human.” ~ Kate Northrup
