One Stop Christmas Shop is an annual event where local organizations and nonprofits come together to create one space for families in need to receive gifts during the Christmas season. This is a cost-free event, so nothing hinders a family member from getting the gifts and resources their children may not otherwise receive.

The event is designed with the families in mind for a joyful shopping experience as they are guided by volunteers to age-appropriate areas for their infant, toddler, tween, or teen. There are diapers, toys, bicycles and trikes, a book nook, stuffed animals, coloring books, arts and craft supplies, stocking stuffers, hats, gloves, socks, blankets, and gift cards. Midwest Mission provided hygiene kits. The idea is to provide a dignified experience for the parents or family members s they choose items their children will love. Over 460 families shopped at One Stop Christmas Shop this year for over 1200 kids.

This is a favorite day of the year for many of us here at Midwest Mission. It is a unique event because we directly see our items going to the family in need. Although we had different roles - being personal shoppers that helped families shop for what they needed, refilling sections, taking overflowing shopping carts out to the shoppers' vehicles, and handing out full boxes of food - we all had one important job in common: we were listeners.

As we assisted families, we listened to so many stories. There were excited parents who were grateful they were able to get the toys their kids wanted, others were grandparents who loved their grandkids so much they ventured out to the mall on a cold, Friday morning. We heard stories of tragedy, families losing everything who were so thankful an event like this exists so their kids could have some sense of normalcy this Christmas. We also heard stories of selfless generosity from other organizations and volunteers, and pure gratitude from those who were taking home a packed-full car of toys.

What a blessing it is to be a blessing - especially during the holiday season.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

There is nothing that gives us more joy than knowing the Lord came to earth to be a living sacrifice for His children.

This joy, a joy that only comes from God, is what drives us to serve the children of God. When we serve, we feel the joy of showing God's love to others. When others receive the resources we send, they feel a joy that only comes from the presence of the Lord.

It's a precious feeling, and a holy attitude to sing with joy as we serve and love one another, and praise our God together.

This Christmas season, we invite you to partner with Midwest Mission in giving the gifts of love, joy, peace, and hope to those around the world and around the corner.

$500 furnishes the gift of joy to orphanages in Caribbean and Latin American countries by providing Home Care Kits to assist them in making a clean and safe environment.

You can also give in someone else's name. Instead of a traditional present, give a monetary gift to Midwest Mission in their name, and present them with this downloadable gift tag to show them the gift of joy was made in their honor.

Whether you are giving monetarily, or through Christlike actions, together we are perpetuating the gift of joy that only comes from Christ here on earth.

May the beautiful gifts of hope, love, peace, and joy be blessings over you this Christmas and always.

Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers

Projects Completed

• 350 Personal Dignity Kits
• Desks
• Bike Repairing
• Counting into inventory
• Cleaning

                      *Redirected items are those items received that do not fit into the parameters of our kits and projects.

Midwest Mission is able to do this work because of your generous donations and willingness to volunteer. Thank you!

Ready to Get Involved?

Schedule Your Mission Journey

Dates are available in 2023 and 2024

Need a Saturday option for team volunteering

or assistance in booking?

Contact Pat Wright at pat@midwestmission.org

or 217-697-4063

Click below to check calendar openings and to reserve your spots.

Mission Journey  Reservation Calendar

Taylorville UMC

Taylorville, IL

Will and Stacey Dunlap

Springfield, IL

Team Ortiz

Springfield, IL

Kelly Bagley

Brad Boucher

Denny Cocagne

Kent Douglas

John Himpel

Tod Shelly

David Whitney

Steve Smith

Rita Smith

Bill Walden

Carol Swettman

Kathy Davis

Marsha Johnson

Jay Grim

Ray Ogden

Art Runge