Every Christmas, MUST Ministries sets up two locations, one
in Cobb and one in Cherokee, to provide a retail store environment for parents
to shop for free items. The MUST Toy Shops are a special treat for families who
often have little to nothing for their children to open on Christmas morning,
but it’s more than something “extra." It’s an essential.
This year, there is a new twist to the dilemma of collecting
enough items for more than 3,000 children. “We’ve been told we will be the only
agency in Cobb offering gifts for babies and for teens age 16-18. Any family
with a child those ages will have to come to MUST for help, so that means they
will probably register their whole family with us,” Rigsby explained. “We
always have a challenge to collect teen items, so we expect more teens this
year and will need additional donations.”
Another challenge is getting dolls of all ethnicities. “A
little girl usually prefers a doll that looks like her,” said Paula Rigsby. The
Toy Shop can also use books and games in Spanish. MUST is hoping the community will remember the teens with
gifts like jewelry, cologne/perfume, curling irons, blow dryers, jeans, boots,
vests, jackets, books, wallets, sports equipment, bikes, belts, purses, watches
and handheld games. All items for Cobb can be taken to the MUST Donation Center
at 55 Chastain Road, Suite 110, Kennesaw on Tuesday-Saturday, 9-5. Items for
Cherokee can be delivered to the MUST Ministries facility at 111 Brown
Industrial Parkway, Canton.
In addition, MUST will distribute dolls, trucks, stuffed
animals and other toys. For babies, MUST is requesting an open box covered in
Christmas wrapping paper and filled with at least 7 baby items like bibs, burp
clothes, diapers, pacifiers, bottles, sippy cups and other necessities. “It’s
the perfect group project, “Rigsby pointed out. “Get together with your
neighbors, Sunday School class, scout troop or civic organization and create
baby boxes!
Open for 14 days in December, the shops provide personal
shoppers to assist parents in making their selections and volunteers who stock
the shelves, provide check in and check out, help load cars and unload
donations. This year, the Cobb Toy Shop will again be at Piedmont Church and
the Cherokee Toy Shop will again be at New Life Church. Both of these generous
churches donate space so MUST can serve clients in poverty. For more questions about ways to help, email toyshop@mustministries.org. The
Toy Shops open Dec. 9.
