Even with the busyness of the holidays, members of Grace Family Church prioritize making a difference in its city. For the past eight years, the Dream Center of Tampa has hosted a Christmas Shoppe with donations from Grace attendees. At the Christmas Shoppe, parents or guardians choose free gifts for their children and participate in fun family activities. This Christmas Shoppe isn’t merely a toy distribution — it’s a celebration built upon the intentional relationships with families that are developed throughout the year.
As the generosity of Grace members has increased, so have the opportunities for impact. Just last weekend, Grace hosted its second annual Kinship Christmas Shoppe at the Carrollwood location. Kinship guardians care for children that would otherwise be placed into foster families. Unfortunately, they can be overlooked during the holidays. For this reason, Grace partnered with Children’s Home Network to host a memorable shopping experience for over 100 families. Grandparents, uncles and aunts selected toys for their children, met with additional service providers, and received encouragement from pastors.
“Many of us are exhausted from having to navigate the system and advocate for these kids, but it’s what we have to do,” one kinship guardian shared with us. “So, when we come to something like this, where we can have one less thing to worry about and can just focus on the kids, it really means something.”
The holidays can be an uncertain time in the lives of many families in the community. By partnering with the Dream Center of Tampa and The Children’s Home Network to provide meaningful Christmas experiences, these caregivers are reminded that they are not alone. Grace Family Church’s vision is to give generously and strengthen families, continuing year-round.
For more information about Grace Family Church, visit christmasatgrace.com.
