Greer Relief is changing its Adopt-A-Family program to the Christmas Morning Shoppe.
The goal remains to provide neighbors in need with Christmas gifts. This prevents them from diverting their limited resources to gifts or going without.
Over 400 people were assisted in the Adopt-A-Family program last year.
"Our Adopt-A-Family program was a traditional Christmas assistance program,” Caroline T. Roberson, Executive Director, stated. “We gave our neighbors in need a ‘Wish List’ for their family, and the sponsors went shopping."
Robinson said, "We have been struggling for a few years on how to create an innovative program that sends them down the path toward stability. We started our next step program – Reaching Every Neighbor Every Way (RENEW) – to offer tools to prevent further crisis.
Families served through the Christmas Morning Shoppe will be a family that has received assistance from either Greer Relief or Greer Community Ministries within the past year.
They will be attending classes either at Greer Relief or with community partners to earn RENEW Rewards for Christmas. Scheduled classes include Money Matters, Walking Group, Borrowing Basics, Job Skills, To Your Credit, Charge It Right and a Meditation Workshop.
Classes are scheduled based on participant interest and volunteer availability. RENEW Rewards are then turned in for an appointment at the Christmas Morning Shoppe.
They will have the opportunity to participate in the selection of gifts for their family.
Robinson said Greer Relief believes the ability to shop for your own child creates empowerment and dignity, two important steps toward self-sufficiency.
General lists of popular toys and needed items for children. While the gifts will still be going to children and families in need, they are not for a specific individual or family.
Ways individuals, businesses or churches can help are:
• Purchase toys or host a toy drive. Greer Relief can provide a wish list. Click here, to sign up and help.
• Make a monetary donation to the Christmas Morning Shoppe. Greer Relief can purchase needed items. Click here to donation online.
• Volunteer. Be an elf in the Christmas Morning Shoppe. We need a volunteer for each parent/guardian shopper. Click here to sign up online.
• Donate gift wrapping supplies. The Shoppe will have a gift wrapping station.
Email Sheena Greene at [email protected] or call 864-334-3492 for questions about the new changes or how to help. Visit here, call 864-848-5355 or visit Greer Relief at the J. Verne Smith Center, 202 Victoria Street Greer.