In 2020, friends and community members joined together to ensure every child and family within reach had a joyful Christmas. The First Annual FREE Christmas Shop was created. The goal was to serve as many families as possible in the Cape Fear region. We were able to make sure that hundreds of families did not wake up to an empty Christmas tree on December 25th. Families were able to choose toys for their children, gently used clothes and jackets, and children were able to pick a small gift for their parents so that they too would know the joy of giving on Christmas Day - all at no cost to the families themselves.

This year, the FOURTH Annual FREE Christmas Shop elves have banded together with local nonprofit, A.C.T.S. Movement, Inc. 501(c)(3). Combining our mission with theirs, we intend to be able to serve a larger demographic. If for any reason the FREE Christmas Shop has leftover resources, they will be donated to The A.C.T.S. Ministry and Food Pantry www.theactsmovement.org/

We have set the date and time of our Fourth Annual FREE Christmas Shop:

Date: December 16th, 2023

Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm (or until supplies last)

Location: 1019 Meares Street, Wilmington, NC 28401

Want to get involved? There are many ways to spread joy through the FREE Christmas Shop!

Donate Time: VOLUNTEER: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49A5A828A0FAC43-fourth

Donate Money: GO FUND ME. The funds will be used to buy new toys, new jackets and essential items for families in need. We expect even more families visiting the Shop this year.

Donate Gently Used Items: We will be accepting gently used toys and jackets for children on Dec 13th and Dec 14th, 12:00pm - 5:00pm at the Greater Morning Star Apostolic Church located at 1019 Meares St. If you would like to donate gently used items, please refer to our Facebook Page for what items are in need and how to organize those items prior to drop off.

Local Support: We are looking for local businesses to collect new items and toys for the FREE Christmas Shop. If you would like to have a new toy drop-off or location leading up to the event, we want you on Team Elf! Items needed include: toys, stockings and stocking stuffers, coats and jackets, gloves and hats, wrapping paper, and coloring crafts.

For more information: please visit @freechristmasshopilm on instagram