Lifeline’s 5th Annual Christmas Store event in Elkhart

ELKHART, Ind. (WNDU) - There’s so many organizations making sure kids have a gift to unwrap under the Christmas tree this year, including Lifeline Youth Ministries in Elkhart.

In their fifth year, they partnered with area schools and local sponsors to bring the ultimate shopping experience to families in need.

Lifeline bought hundreds of brand-new toys and products for all ages and was able to sell them for 20 cents on a dollar. That means caregivers can buy $50 worth of gifts for only $10!

When Lifeline started this event, they were serving maybe 200 kids. Today, the executive director tells us they probably served about 700.

“The feedback has been very positive as, ‘You allowed me to come in, pick out gifts for my child and pay for them,” said Lifeline Houth Ministries Executive Director Darrell Peterson. “I enjoyed the fact that I was able to pay for them. I realized that they’ve been discount, but it gave me dignity to be able to look for the presents, shop for them and purchase them.”

“We have the ability to serve people who don’t usually get served and I get goosebumps watching the people wrap presents and the joy that is on the caregiver’s face,” said Peterson. “It’s amazing; it is my favorite day of the year.”

Not only did families get a personal shopper, but there were also dozens of volunteers wrapping up those gifts for them.

They were able to provide boxes of food for families this year too.

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