For 27 years, Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) has helped low-income families through an innovative Christmas program called Jingle Bell Express. This year 3,000 children will be blessed with new toys, new books, and Christmas food packages for their families.
There are two ways that you can support Jingle Bell Express –
purchase toys and books and/or volunteer to organize and distribute the gifts.
Donate New Toys and Books
Please donate new, unwrapped toys and books (avoiding items violent in nature) for children ages 0 – 15. You may place donations in the box in the narthex or in the church office during the month of November.
When shopping for toys, remember the toy each child receives through Jingle Bell Express may be his/her only Christmas present. Consider purchasing one or two “primary gifts” rather than several small “stocking stuffers.”
Some age-appropriate gift ideas are listed below.
TEENAGERS (13 – 15 years old): Sports watches, jewelry sets, hats and jerseys, regulation soccer balls, basketballs, and footballs, large art sets, and large make up kits.
PRE-TEENAGERS (10 – 12 years old): Jewelry boxes and jewelry, handheld games, skateboards, remote control cars, Bratz/Groovy Girls/Barbie dolls, and basketball and soccer balls.
ELEMENTARY (6 – 9 years old): Doll houses, advanced Lego sets, large tea/kitchen sets, scooters, sports gear, art/paint sets, large dolls in fancy dresses, and large friction cars/trucks.
PRE-SCHOOL (3 – 5 years old): Tea/kitchen sets, trikes and scooters, large dolls in fancy dresses, large sets of miniature cars/racing sets, doll sets (i.e. Strawberry Shortcake) with accessories, and action figure sets.
INFANT/TODDLER (0 – 2 years old): Fisher Price toys, sturdy riding toys, musical toys, bouncy infant seats, play gyms, layettes with blankets, large stuffed animals, and soft body dolls with layettes or accessories.
Volunteer
Help CCSC organize and distribute the donations at the Bellaire United Methodist Church at 4417 Bellaire Blvd. (just inside Loop 610 at Newcastle). Individuals and families may simply show up, but groups of 8 or more should contact CCSC. Volunteers should be over the age of 10 and an adult should accompany children younger than 14.
SORT AND SET-UP: Help organize toys, books, and food packages!
Tuesday, December 4 – Thursday, December 6; 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
DISTRIBUTION: Help clients “shop” for toys, books, and food packages!
Friday, December 7 – Saturday, December 8; 7:45 a.m. – 12:00 noon.
Jingle Bell Express is a beautiful way to create a holiday tradition by involving the whole family in this demonstration of the Christmas spirit. For more information on donating or volunteering, contact member Susie Crafton or Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) or 713-961-3993.