By Renae Hamstra – Castle Rock, Colorado … “Presents!” was heard echoing from children throughout the Christmas store set up by Castle Rock church and Castle Rock Adventist Hospital.

Eyes were aglow and hearts were warmed as 36 families received Christmas gifts at Castle Rock’s first Christmas store. Some thirty-five volunteers from the hospital, the hospital foundation, and Castle Rock Adventist Church spent hours planning, purchasing and wrapping hundreds of gifts before the big day.

Remarking on the Christmas store concept, Brandon Nudd, CEO of Castle Rock Adventist Hospital said, “This kind of community outreach is great. Let’s do it again next year.”

The volunteers reached out to local elementary school counselors to obtain names of families not serviced by other organizations. The families were asked to arrive at the hospital at a specific time where each family member received two wrapped gifts.

Bob Whitlock, a volunteer and Castle Rock member, saw the children’s eyes light up as huge bags of wrapped gifts were given. “It was so gratifying to participate in the Christmas store and hear the many words of heartfelt appreciation.”

Renae Hamstra, Castle Rock Member, shared her favorite part of the event, “The best part was distributing gifts to the 168 people whose Christmas was looking bleak and hearing the children exclaim, “Presents!”’

The church and hospital would like to make the event an annual tradition in Castle Rock.

“Hopefully, in life after COVID, we’ll be able to have the kids come into the hospital and choose gifts for their family members,” said Bernice Benabe, church Christmas Store coordinator.

If you would like to learn more about the Christmas Shop 2021, please visit http://castlerockadventist.church/.

–Renae Hamstra is a member of the Castle Rock Adventist Church; photos supplied