Oklahoma Nonprofit Saving The Joy Of Christmas For Oklahoma Families

At Christmas Connection it is like Santa’s warehouse, and they are saving Christmas for a lot of Oklahoma families.

It’s a VIP no-cost shopping experience for Christmas. “Families can come and shop for clothing, shoes, coats, household items that they need,” said Christmas Connection CEO, April Jolley.

And of course, toys, lots of toys. “Our goal is to provide a dignified shopping experience,” said Jolley.

That experience begins with cookies and Christmas cheer along with a personal helper to assure shoppers get everything they need. “Not just come through the doors and be ushered through and pick gifts off the shelf. We want them to have a moment to enjoy the process of Christmas shopping,” said Jolley.

“It’s a blessing that I can actually come in and shop for my kids,” said Christmas Connection Shopper Tashy.

Tashy is out of work on maternity leave and says before Christmas Connection Christmas wasn’t looking good. “Mamma I want this, and I want that, but I’m like I’m not working. So, I had to figure out how I was going to get my babies some stuff,” said Tashy.  “I know I needed help to help things clear for this year, and I even donated a couple of dollars in the little jar because that’s what I can give back,” said Christmas Connection Shopper Ashley.

As gratifying as it is for the shoppers it is equally an experience for the volunteers. “This is the place to come because you are really going to get ten-fold back what you put into it,” said Lisa Rondina, Christmas Connection Board President and also a regular volunteer.

This year the need is great and volunteers in every capacity are really needed. “This year we are actually serving about one thousand families; we will give out around eight thousand toys, and we will give out over three thousand coats,” said Jolley.

The sign-up list for shoppers is full, with a waiting list of about twenty-five hundred making the opportunity to donate, crucial. “We have an Amazon wish list on our website if you can’t get out and drop something off,” said Jolley.

Whether donating or volunteering, the need is great to help families this Christmas. “To see the light in their eyes as they’re shopping nothing beats it,” said Rondina.

For information on donating or becoming a volunteer visit www.christmasconnection.org