(11/01) The beautiful and giving spirit of Walkersville and Woodsboro emerges yet again this holiday season. Glade Valley Community Services is currently preparing to help families in need through the annual Holiday Toy Shoppe, a heartfelt and beloved reflection of the community.
Serving the Woodsboro and Walkersville area, Glade Valley Community Services is a non-profit organization that assists low-income families. Services range from emergency relief funds to educational assistance, and during the holiday season, the uplifting Holiday Toy Shoppe helps families that struggle to provide for their children.
"It’s heartwarming," says Ann Wadding, co-manager of the toy shoppe. The program allows children to receive high-quality, fun holiday gifts, while also relieving families of the financial hardship that many experience this time of the year.
In order for families to apply for the program, they need to go through several steps. If new to the program, families must send the birth certificate, guardianship papers, or passport of their child, with the parent/guardian’s name listed on the paperwork. If families have signed up in the past, they must add any new children, as Glade Valley Community Services does not keep any documents/photos, but they do keep track of receiving them. Families must provide a photo ID with current address, and finally provide proof of financial need.
Financial need can either be proven through one of the following: a current SNAP letter, a current FARM letter, a medical assistance card and/or pay stub that shows average income per month. Once families are approved, Glade Valley Community Services will send a link to the application form. Upon applying to participate in the toy shoppe, children will generate a wish list of toys that they would like to receive.
The overall goal of the program is to "give children pride and dignity," says Wadding, who also manages the program’s emergency relief funds. As stated, each child will receive two outfits, socks and underwear, hats and gloves, as well as three toys. Wegman’s donates reusable shopping bags to put the clothes in, and on the day of distribution, members of the Woodsboro and Walkersville community will take off work to volunteer as elves at the shoppe. Parents and families are given a shopping cart and wrapping paper to both collect their children’s gifts and wrap them.
One member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Walkersville even makes stockings every year that the church then fills up with fun, little toys. "Most people save the stockings," says Wadding, "but it’s heartwarming, when you ask somebody to help out like that."
She notes that the entire community gets involved in this project. "I don’t use much of a budget at all, thanks to donations, either financially, or as actual gifts." Grocery stores and salons will donate gift cards, providing free services like haircuts, while restaurants will give away gift cards as well, that are raffled at the shoppe. To also give teenagers the same benefit of the program, the program offers gift cards that range from $70-80 rather than a selection of toys. Recently, the gift cards have been from Walmart, but it typically depends on donations. "This community is fabulous in helping those in need," Wadding says when reflecting on the generosity of the Glade Valley area.
Individual community members can help, as well. If interested in being part of this heartwarming program, members can donate newly bought toys, clothes, and new or gently used books. Members can also choose to "adopt a child," allowing them to provide the two outfits, one pack of underwear/diapers, one pack of socks, and three toys for an individual child. Middle and high school children are provided with gift cards, a sweatshirt, and books. While Glade Valley Community Services provides kind and excellent service to those families in need, the organization as a whole also allows the community to donate and volunteer during the difficult holiday season.
This year, the shoppe is held on Friday, December 2nd, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church. For the past two years, the shoppe had been held on the top floor of the town hall, but renovations had the organization looking for a new place to hold the event.
The application for families opened on October 1st, and already, 30 families have signed up. The average is normally 75 families, and the highest has been 90. The application window closes on October 31st to give the Glade Valley Community Services team enough time to prepare.
"Many hands make great work," says Wadding. "We couldn’t do this without the community. I’m a military wife, and we expected to be here three years, and I’ve been here 17. There’s a reason for this." Additionally, Glade Valley Community Service’s mission statement states that the organization’s overall purpose is "to meet the needs of families and individuals in the Walkersville, Woodsboro and surrounding Glade Valley area of Frederick County, Maryland through the coordination of donations of time, talent, money and other resources." More information can be found on their newly renovated website, https://gladevalley.org.
As the holiday season approaches, please think about giving your time to the Glade Valley Community Services Holiday Toy Shoppe. Wadding even shares a letter written by one of the children: "Dear Toy Shoppe," one child writes, "I would love a bike for Christmas." Donations and participation within the communities of Walkersville and Woodsboro make these heartwarming dreams come true for children, and it truly enriches their holiday season. As for the parents, "we try to meet them where they’re at," says Wadding. The program is meant to serve both families and children, and to bring everyone together at such a loving time of the year.
If you are interested in donating, either email Glade Valley Community Services at gvcs.inc@verizon.net or call them at 301-845-0213 and leave a message. Glade Valley Community Services also accepts checks which can be mailed at P.O. Box 655 Walkersville, MD 21793. Money will go towards gift cards and toys for children. Truly, any donation will go a long way for a family or child in this community—it is well worth it to spend time giving back to those who need the most love this holiday season.
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