The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Giving the gift of dignity
Hope Shoppe helps kids in need with Christmas shopping
Charles Franklin of Mentor says he struggles to provide for his five young children, despite a two-income family.
It’s especially tough at Christmastime, so he’s grateful for the Hope Shoppe at Project Hope in Painesville Township.
The event, in its eighth year, offers the children of families in need a chance to not only celebrate the season, but also to shop for others.
“This is such a wonderful program,” he said. “This is definitely a blessing from God. And my kids love it.” Along with the opportunity to buy presents, the event features free food, cookie-decorating, a craft, coloring and photos with Santa. Once they have shopped, they go into the wrapping room to get the gifts ready to go.
It assists families who are currently homeless or are part of Project Hope’s aftercare program.
“It’s hard to be on the streets, especially with kids,” said Esther Madden of Painesville, who brought her 12-year-old daughter. They now have a home.
“I am thankful that these people are here for us.”
The Hope Shoppe was dreamed up by Cornerstone Friends Church Pastor Mark Winner’s daughter, Sydney, after visiting the homeless shelter.
Sydney shies away from the limelight, so her dad explained the impetus behind the Hope Shoppe.
“To be honest, being poor doesn’t bother us,” Winner said. “I grew up poor. What bothers our entire family is when people are belittled for their life’s circumstances. The children we serve also receive gifts from Project Hope and other groups, which is super important and an amazing thing, but we want to give them a little bit of dignity back.
“Imagine being the only kid in your second-grade
class without a gift for the teacher or, worse yet, being the only one of the cousins who doesn’t have a gift for grandma. The sort of shame
that goes along with those circumstances just really sucks, to be honest. So for us, this isn’t about what the kids get, it’s about what
they get to give, which they rarely have a chance to do.”
His church in Madison has rallied around the program from the beginning, and members shop for and donate gifts, while some contribute financially. Other support comes from the Madison Christian Ministers Association, other Madison churches and Madison High School Key Club. Local photographers have helped by providing family photos.
Volunteers run the shoppe. Winner estimates they have worked with close to 200 children over the years.
Project Hope serves about 40 families annually, including 75 to 80 children, said Executive Director Judy Burr.
“The Families Moving Forward program is always busy,” she said. “I believe we would have an increase in families if we could take them all, but, unfortunately, we have three dorms, so we cannot take more than three to four families at a time.”
Those who wish to help can “adopt” a child for a night for Christmas by sending in $39.11 or $273.77 for a week’s stay.
“More than 90 percent of the families served have become stable and have experienced a positive transition directly from the shelter,” Burr said.
Volunteers are always needed, she said. To apply, visit projecthopeonline.org.