by LeAnn Russell Waldroup
Despite triple-digit temperatures, Ruston spent July getting into the holiday spirit.
Throughout the month, local businesses, churches, civic organizations and residents joined together for Christmas in July, a communitywide gift drive benefiting Ruston Community Christmas.
Hosted by Real Change in Ruston, Community Christmas is an annual holiday shopping experience held in December that celebrates the dignity and worth of every participant.
“Community Christmas is so much more than just shopping,” said Stacie Clinton, who serves on the Real Change in Ruston committee. “It’s an opportunity to build relationships in our city. People who participate with one of our partner organizations have the opportunity to earn ‘Christmas Cash’ throughout the year, and anyone who has earned the cash can shop for themselves, friends and family members in the Community Christmas store.”
Partner organizations include Bridges International, Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana, DART, Family Village of North Louisiana, Freedom 13, Life Choices of North Central Louisiana, Lincoln United Community Coalition, Recovery Court and Zion Traveler Community Development Corp.
The monthlong effort culminated July 25, when volunteers gathered at the Historic Fire Station to collect, sort and organize donations while welcoming community members throughout the day. More than 2,500 gifts are needed to stock the Community Christmas store, and the team set a goal of collecting 60% to 70% of that during the July drive.
“We were so excited to meet our goal during the Christmas in July drive,” Clinton said. “This would not have been possible without the entire Ruston community coming together. Businesses served as drop-off locations, churches held gift drives, and volunteers from across the community helped us get the word out, including our downtown Ruston businesses, which put up signs and had collection boxes.”
Members of the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball team volunteered throughout the day, helping collect and organize donations. They were especially inspired when 20 elementary-age children participating in Trinity Methodist Church’s Weekend of the Cross Jr. arrived with more than $1,300 worth of gifts. The children raised the money the previous day through a downtown lemonade stand before shopping together for toys and other items to donate.
“Volunteering at Christmas in July was such a humbling experience,” said Lady Techster Kennedy Evans. “Being able to give back to the community, connect through Jesus, talk to the awesome people of Ruston and fellowship with my teammates was such a great way to serve. The kids were definitely the best part. Seeing how excited they were to give back to the community was incredible.”
Although Christmas in July has ended, preparations for Ruston Community Christmas are just beginning. This year’s shopping event will be held Dec. 3-4 at the Ruston Civic Center. Volunteer opportunities — including gift wrapping, assisting shoppers and serving at checkout — will open in November.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
