The Christmas Store

The Christmas Store takes place each year on the second Friday and following Saturday in December. In 2023, the Christmas Store served 983 children from 438 local families! In 2024, the Christmas Store will take place on Friday, December 13, and Saturday, December 14, 2024. Each year the Christmas Store is hosted by United Church at 820 East Williams Street (Hwy 55) in Apex, NC.

Families are referred to the Christmas Store by Western Wake Crisis Ministry, Dorcas Ministries, the Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry and the Holly Springs Food Cupboard. Throughout the year, these organizations work with people who are in crisis situations resulting from a lack of resources. They refer clients with children 14 years of age or younger to register for the Christmas Store. School counselors from local schools also refer families whom they know to be in need during the holiday season to register for the Christmas Store.

Client registration takes place at United Church over a period of 6 weeks in October and November. Upon registration, each client receives an appointment time during the store, and has an opportunity to “shop” at the store on that day and time. (Click to learn more about becoming a client.)

Meanwhile, partner organizations are asking their patrons, customers and members to donate new toys to the store, for children from ages 1 to 14. Toys will arrive for the store throughout the month of November, and can be shipped or dropped off to United Church at 820 East Williams Street, Apex, NC 27502. The Apex ReStore, at 826 East Williams Street, is also a toy donation location.  (Click to learn more about becoming a partner.)

One of the easiest ways to help stock the Christmas Store is by purchasing toys at your favorite retailer. Shopping online? See idea lists by age & gender on Amazon by following this link, and have your selections shipped directly to the Christmas Store at 820 East Williams Street, Apex NC 27502. Shopping locally? Our toy store partner Science Safari on Kildaire Farm Road in Cary will deliver your purchased toys directly to the Christmas Store.

Once the Christmas Store begins and clients arrive, they are greeted, checked in for their appointment, and treated to holiday music, decorations and refreshments with the help of volunteers. Free childcare is provided by volunteers for clients who bring their children.  The children will visit with Santa’s helpers, hear the Christmas story, and enjoy crafts and games.  Volunteers then assist clients in locating the toys for the particular age group and gender of each registered child.  Clients have the opportunity to select 3 gifts for each child registered.  When clients have finished shopping, volunteers wrap the toys.  Once wrapping is completed, volunteers assist the clients in getting the gifts to their car and picking up their children from care.  (Click to learn more about becoming a volunteer.)