Christmas Toy Store
Christmas can be an especially difficult season for many low-income families. Parents often long to provide gifts for their children but simply do not have the financial resources to do so.
While many charitable organizations generously respond by adopting families and delivering wrapped presents to their homes, this well-intentioned approach can sometimes have unintended consequences—removing parents from the gift-giving experience and unintentionally diminishing their role.
Peacemakers offers a different model.
Each year, we operate a Christmas Toy Store serving families in South Rocky Mount in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Local churches, organizations, and individuals donate new, unwrapped toys with the original price tags still attached. Peacemakers then reprices every item at 80% off retail value.
Through referrals from school social workers and local agencies, families receive invitations to shop at the Toy Store on designated days in December. Parents enter a welcoming store environment where they are able to thoughtfully choose and purchase gifts for their children at deeply reduced prices. Free gift-wrapping stations are available, allowing parents to wrap each present themselves.
As a result, parents leave not only with gifts—but with dignity. They experience the joy of selecting, purchasing, and preparing Christmas presents for their children.
Through this model, we do more than distribute toys—we empower families and preserve the priceless gift of parenthood.
