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It begins with a flyer asking for donations, but it ends with a beaming smile.  What happens in between is a concert of numerous people and ministries working together to brighten the lives of many by putting on a Christmas party for the students of The Academy of West Birdville.

For the past few years, the pre-teens and their families have been creating holiday cheer for approximately 50 students who attend The Academy.  Through a flyer,  NorthWood families are encouraged to make giving a part of their holiday season. For a three week period in November, NorthWood children and their families purchase gifts for infants through adults, and those items are amassed at the church until the appointed day.  During the Christmas party for the Academy, the collected items are placed in a “store” where Academy students select gifts for their family members.  These gifts then make their way under the trees of the elementary students whose families might otherwise have a meager Christmas.

On this very special evening, the smell of pizza fills the air as children enjoy slices.  Laughter continues while they take part in games and crafts.  Children are paired with a pre-teen buddy from NorthWood to go through each of the game and craft centers, then on to the most exciting part: the shopping for gifts.

With the help of their buddies, the children study their lists of family members, and together they choose gifts for each of those individuals.  When students go shopping they can choose items for all siblings, parents, and even grandparents who may be living in their household, so the array of donated gifts varies.  Once gifts have been selected, those presents are then adorned with gift wrap  (also donated by NorthWood members) and then proudly taken home by the children for their families.

Not only do families receive gift items, but they also receive a basket of food items, organized and donated by the Celebrate Recovery Ministry.  “That was really special,” stated Becky Done, Kids’ Pastor at NorthWood.  “When the families saw that, they could not believe all they were going home with.  One of the mothers said, ‘Is this all for us? I just cannot believe my eyes. This is just amazing.’”  The children also receive a gift of their own, donated by the youth of NorthWood. It was a special moment for NorthWood pre-teens to see the reactions of families and the children.Becky explained that children are chosen to participate based upon recommendations of staff and teachers of The Academy.  “We rely heavily on their judgment, because they intimately know these families” and their financial needs.  After the selection process, NorthWood assists those whom the school feels have the greatest need.  Families are then contacted and given the opportunity to participate in the party and “store.”

Becky wonders if the gifts actually make it to Christmas Day or if they are opened as soon as the children get home.  We will never know.

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