For 40 years, Shepherd has served our neighbors from cradle to career to help them break the cycle of poverty and find lasting hope. At Christmas time, Shepherd connects those authentic relationships with our neighbors to the true joy and hope of Christmas.

When Shepherd started our Christmas Store, we realized it wasn’t about the gifts. No, it was about empowering parents to provide the joy and pride of Christmas to their children on Christmas morning, helping a family make memories and feel connected.

So, during a typical Christmastime at Shepherd Community in the mid-2000s, as we were busy trying to meet the needs of our neighbors and ensure they had the best Christmas possible, a preschooler asked to meet with Executive Director Jay Height.

Jay knew this child well. Bryan had a hard home life. At only age five, he had been abandoned multiple times and left to care for his younger sister. You see, Bryan had very little, but he did have a pencil case and three matchbox cars. As he walked into Jay’s office, he offered up his most precious treasures for Jay to give to kids who had nothing. “I can always play with toys at Shepherd,” he said. He left full of joy, and Jay wept. This five-year-old boy understood Christmas. Bryan gave Shepherd all he had because Shepherd gave him so much.

Jay keeps that pencil box of cars in his office as a reminder of the great love a five-year-old little boy showed, because Shepherd had given him so much. Bryan reminded Jay and all of our Shepherd staff about the true heart of Christmas.

Thanks to thousands of volunteers, churches, donors, and corporate partners, the Shepherd Christmas Store empowers parents, builds relationships, and restores the joy of Christmas for over 2,000 children each year. Even after 40 years, Shepherd continues to be a beacon of hope, serving students like Bryan and their families all year long – and for years to come.

You can be a part of the magic of Shepherd at Christmas, bringing hope and joy to our neighborhood kids and families all year long by visiting CaringAtChristmas.org.