MARTINSBURG, WV - "I was here at 5:15am this morning," says Heather Ritter, one of the many parent shoppers.
Heather Ritter was the very first parent in a long line wrapped all the way around the 365 Church in Martinsburg, waiting to shop for her four year-old daughter.
"She has no clue that I'm here," says Ritter.
But this isn't just any holiday shopping: all of the gifts were donated for parents who work hard and make just enough money to not qualify for financial help, and don't have the disposable income to buy presents.
"It means a lot to be able to give to the parents, the kids and parents, that can't provide as much for their children as they would like to," says Ritter.
Now Heather is walking away with a fully loaded barbie car for her daughter; something she says she's always wanted.
"My parents had nothing, and we would always stress out over getting a present for Christmas, and it wasn't a very joyful time because we had no money. To see people in our community be able to come and relax, know joy and peace, and not have to worry about buying presents with the limited income they have, that is just an amazing view to behold," says Ron Larson, Pastor of the 365 Church in Martinsburg.
Larson says last year's donated shopping event served about 40 children, but this year they're serving over 400 children.
"Christmas ought to be a time of relaxation, it ought to be a time of just joy. People being able to come and not have to worry about going out and buying presents with money they don't have, that makes Christmas what it ought to be: That's full of joy and peace," adds Larson.
It's another special way to make a child's Christmas.
Heather Ritter was the very first parent in a long line wrapped all the way around the 365 Church in Martinsburg, waiting to shop for her four year-old daughter.
"She has no clue that I'm here," says Ritter.
But this isn't just any holiday shopping: all of the gifts were donated for parents who work hard and make just enough money to not qualify for financial help, and don't have the disposable income to buy presents.
"It means a lot to be able to give to the parents, the kids and parents, that can't provide as much for their children as they would like to," says Ritter.
Now Heather is walking away with a fully loaded barbie car for her daughter; something she says she's always wanted.
"My parents had nothing, and we would always stress out over getting a present for Christmas, and it wasn't a very joyful time because we had no money. To see people in our community be able to come and relax, know joy and peace, and not have to worry about buying presents with the limited income they have, that is just an amazing view to behold," says Ron Larson, Pastor of the 365 Church in Martinsburg.
Larson says last year's donated shopping event served about 40 children, but this year they're serving over 400 children.
"Christmas ought to be a time of relaxation, it ought to be a time of just joy. People being able to come and not have to worry about going out and buying presents with money they don't have, that makes Christmas what it ought to be: That's full of joy and peace," adds Larson.
It's another special way to make a child's Christmas.
