Megan Navarro
WIMBERLEY — The Barnabas Connection is in its 12th year of providing a way for parents and families to purchase new Christmas gifts for their children at a low cost.
The 501(c)(3) organization started more than 20 years ago with a vision to make Wimberley a place for all community members to thrive and for generations to learn and grow. Due to there being multiple government and nonprofit services located at least 30 minutes away from Wimberley, Barnabas Connection works to meet a wide variety of needs in the immediate area, its website stated, including financial and educational resources, emergency action support and counseling.
One of its programs is the Christmas Store, where the staff transforms its office into a store-like space for families to shop for gifts at a low cost of 75% or more off of the retail price. Based on the number of children, the families are allotted a certain dollar amount they are allowed to shop with, which is between $35-$45.
There are several options for assistance programs, but this one is unique, according to executive director Kate Sowell, as it gives those families a sense of dignity and pride to come in and purchase the items with their own money — supporting self-sufficiency, which is something that Barnabas Connection encourages.
“People don't want a handout. They want to be able to participate in things. They want to be able to provide Christmas for their families. Often, when you talk to people, they just want to be able to do things on their own for their children and so, this is a way to do that. It's dignity and pride and self-sufficiency,” Sowell explained. “They're selecting the toys and they are at a price they can afford. So, on Christmas morning, when their children are opening those toys under the Christmas tree, it's toys they bought, they selected [and] they purchased.”
Historically, Barnabas Connection has served 100 families through the Christmas Store and this year, that number has already been reached and it’s expected to continue to go up, as every program has increased needs, Sowell said. Families are asked to register by Nov. 21 to ensure that there are enough items stocked.
“When they fill out their application, they give us the name [and] age of every child and their Christmas wish list. We try to stock the store with the items on the wish list of every child,” she said. “So, if there's something really special or specific that's not on multiple lists of every child, we hold them back and make sure that when that family comes, we put it out for that child, which is why it's important that the families get registered, so that we can source those items ahead of time.”
Every item that is stocked in the Christmas Store is brand new, purchased by Barnabas Connection with financial donations or is donated through toy drives. The program is possible through partnerships with local groups, businesses, school districts and the entire community which gets involved.
There are several places throughout Wimberley for people to donate new, unwrapped toys to go toward the families in need — specific drop-off times can be found by contacting the individual places.
• Edward Jones (Cade Wright): 12589 Ranch Road 12
• Edward Jones (Michael S Murphy): 15501 Ranch Road 12
• Sonora Bank: 100 Stillwater Road
• Messina Inn: 1000 Cypress Creek Lane
• Wimberley United Methodist Church: 1200 County Road 1492
• Unity of Wimberley: 455 White Wings Road
• Wimberley Church of Christ: 105 E. Meadow Lane
• Monster Treats: 13911 Ranch Road 12
• Dr. Williams DDS (Wimberley Valley Dental) 140 Joe Wimberley Boulevard
• Wimberley Chapel in the Hills: 14601 Ranch Road 12
Additionally, people will have an opportunity to donate on the day of the annual Christmas parade, as part of the city’s Hometown Holidays celebration, at 6 p.m. Nov. 30, that goes through downtown. Toys will be accepted on the Square, right across from the Wimberley Cafe under the big Christmas tree, Sowell said.
Along with providing physical donations, those who wish to provide monetary donations can do so, with the option of sponsoring a family for $150, a bicycle for $75, cold weather items for $50 or a helmet for $25.
“Some people prefer to give a donation, an initial contribution. Some people prefer to take their children out and let their children buy a toy,” Sowell shared. “Some people like to shop; here locally, we have a lot of great retailers in town that you can buy a toy at and make a donation.”
While some drop-off locations may have specific cutoff times, Sowell said that Barnabas Connection will continue to take donations through the new year because collecting items for the Christmas Store is not season-specific, it’s year-round.
The need for donating to the Christmas Store is imminent, but so is that of the Wimberley Community Assistance Fund — another service of Barnabas Connection — that helps families with rent, utilities and medical needs. This is especially true in getting into colder weather.
“Our other really big need, which does impact these same families, is if people are willing to make additional donations towards our Community Assistance Fund. We are having a lot of need right now with utility assistance and that helps our families with heat,” Sowell said. “We are on track to have our biggest year with that fund. Making a donation [would] help a family keep their heat on this winter.”
Find the wish lists, where to register and more information about the Christmas Store at www.barnabasconnects.org/christmas-store.
Details on the Wimberley Community Assistance Fund can be found at www.barnabasconnects.org/operation-good-shepherd.
