The Roanoker - November/December 2018 - 88

the initiative by stating, "Roanoke Valley Gives
brings the community together to support the
needs in the area."
For a complete listing visit rvgives.givebig.
org/c/rvgives/p/participatingorganizations.
Two exemplary outreach programs that
serve others during the holidays include the
Community Christmas Store and Blessing
Bags.
THE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS STORE
(CCS), started in 1993, focuses on "families

Sharing the Joy
at Holiday Time

with children and senior and/or disabled adults
who live at or way below the Federal poverty
level." Managed completely by cheerful
volunteers, an empty, designated building
is changed for a short time into a minidepartment store decorated for Christmas and
filled with clothes, toys and household items, to
enable eligible parents and guardians to shop
for their families.
"CCS is 100 percent reliant on the
generosity of our community as well grants and
other fundraising activities. Roughly 90 percent
of all funds received go directly to the families
served." This year's goal is to serve 600 families.
Volunteers are always needed to help with
fundraising, setting up and operating the

WRITTEN BY JENNIFER FENRICH

A

NTICIPATING THE HOLIDAYS
brings joy to many people. Special
times with loved ones and friends,
decorations, baking and fulfilling wish lists
with the art of surprise, all mark the coming
of the season. Yet for some, the holidays may be
challenging. Together let's spread the joy and
ease the challenges through giving, especially
with our time. Show our children and others
that through giving, we can help our neighbors
and grow in compassion and gratitude for what
we do have.
Kindness is contagious. Just ask the people
who live in the Roanoke Valley who have a big
88

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

heart with so many opportunities to give. Here
are just a few ways to support the community
that you and your family may wish to consider
this season.
ROANOKE VALLEY GIVES is an initiative
of the Foundation for Roanoke Valley. Donors
make a one-time financial contribution on a
specified day to an organization of their choice.
Contributions are made via each participating
organization's own fundraising page rather than
Roanoke Valley Gives receiving them directly.
The Foundation for Roanoke Valley
Program Officer, Michelle Eberly, sums up

Community Christmas Store. Set up may
include: putting shelving together, decorating
the store, shopping for new goods and stocking
shelves. Operating may involve purchasing
items specifically for eligible applicants or
supporting shoppers that day.
Contact information: Angie Apgar, the
2018 President for the Roanoke Valley CCS
at 540-989-6532 or visit their Facebook page,
Community Christmas Store of the Roanoke
Valley, for current information and to download
their 2018 brochure.
BLESSING BAGS, HELPING PEOPLE
GROW, began in early 2016. The program

focuses on the homeless and those living
in extreme poverty in the area. Joshua
Gabrielson, the program's founder, moved
TheRoanoker.com

COURTESY OF JOSHUA GABRIELSON / COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS STORE: COURTESY OF ANGIE APGAR

Kindness is contagious. Just ask the people who live in the
Roanoke Valley who have a big heart with so many opportunities
to give. Here are just a few ways to support the community that
you and your family may wish to consider this season.
http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker - November/December 2018

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