Stories Of A Student

Christmas Blessing 2018

‘Tis the season for Christmas Blessing 2018!!!

Last year, our Christmas Blessing was able to give away over 650 gifts! We had the opportunity not only to give away at our warehouse and kids club, but we also gave to kids at a local apartment building. Without everybody’s help, we wouldn’t have been able to create this amazing day full of God, love, and the holiday spirit. Thank you to everyone that was able to make last year so special to so many kids!

To get things started for this year, we’re having an Amazon gift list for anyone that is looking to send gifts our way. This year we have our list through AmazonSmile which also gives a small donation to the City of Refuge with every purchase. All you have to do is click the link to view the list and purchase gifts for the giveaway. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2XA2950YDOMME

When you check out, please click the “City of Refuge-Heather Wilson gift registry address” to have the gifts shipped to us. Also, we will be closing the wish list on December 7th as we don’t want anybody’s gifts to go ungiven as Amazon can sometimes be late with the deliveries.

Don’t forget the teens, as gift cards and movie tickets always make for great presents!

For 18 years now, the City of Refuge has held a HUGE Christmas Blessing that is able to serve many kids in the neighborhood. Close to 800 kids will be able to get a gift from us on this day, and for many, it will be their only one.

This year will be the 19th Christmas Blessing!!!

While we never tell the children when the blessing will be, they tend to find out from us pulling out the decorations, hanging lights, and playing Christmas music. Families will typically begin to line up at 8:30 AM, and that’s when we make sure they aren’t bored waiting through the line. We have hot cocoa, cookies, crafts, coloring, face painting, and balloon animals all going on through the line. Once they’re next up in line, they will enter the Christmas Wonderland that is our warehouse, listen to a Christmas story, and be given their gift! Kids only have to wait their turn in the line, no pre sign-ups are needed.

The gifts we look for are new, unwrapped, for ages infant to 17 years old, and $10 to $15 dollars. If you would like to drop off gifts we ask that you bring before Wednesday on December 13th. However, we won’t ever turn down gifts!

The Christmas Blessing will be on December 15th at the City of Refuge Warehouse.

If you have any more questions, would like to find a time to volunteer, or have donations of either presents or monetary donations, please E-mail us at dhrljwilson@cox.net. 

We look forward to seeing you and helping us make this the best Christmas for kids all around the neighborhood!

*Please note to make gifts within price range as many kids have siblings and we don’t want to have any hurt feelings. Thank you.

Those of you who would like to volunteer and help us during this Christmas Blessing, here is the schedule for the week of. Also please don’t park in the alley.

Our warehouse is located in the alley behind the address 2452 Market Street San Diego, CA 92102, between 24th and 25th Street and Market. Jack in the box will be on the corner of 24th Street and Market.

The week starts MONDAY DECEMBER 10th-14th

MONDAY – WAREHOUSE SET UP // 9:00AM – 12:00PM

TUESDAY – WAREHOUSE SET UP // 9:00AM – 12:00PM 

WEDNESDAY – WAREHOUSE SET UP // 9:00AM – 4:00PM 

THURSDAY – WAREHOUSE SET UP // 9:00AM – 4:00PM

FRIDAY – WAREHOUSE SET UP// 9:00AM – 4:00PM

If you plan on attending any of these dates, please contact dhrljwilson@cox.net or call/text 619-788-2063 as it’s possible that times change.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15TH CHRISTMAS BLESSING SCHEDULE

Volunteers, please arrive at 9:00 am

We will have a brief meeting where we will assign duties. The duties are as follows.

  • REFRESHMENTS
  • PRAYER AND ENCOURAGEMENT
  • SET UP
  • TEAR DOWN
  • GROCERY DISTRIBUTION
  • GIFT ROOM – 13 and up
  • TRASH PICK UP
  • LINE MANAGEMENT

If you plan on attending, we ask that you park in the surrounding area and not in the alley. There are several fast food places around the block for lunches, and please keep track of your children.

Again THANK YOU to all of the churches, individuals, schools, youth groups, and businesses who have helped serve alongside us for all these years. We all love and appreciate you SO much and are excited to work with all of you again, with some fresh new faces, in this new year. We pray you all have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed new year!