This holiday season, C3 Church in South Point, Ohio, is gearing up for its eighth annual Santa’s Workshop, a toy drive that brings joy to children from birth to 18 years old across the community. What began as a simple effort to give away toys has transformed into a heartwarming tradition that allows parents to select gifts for their children, empowering them and helping them feel more self-sufficient during this season of giving.
“We just want to see the glory of the good news spread to as many people as possible,” said Trent Carpenter, the lead pastor at C3 Church, which is located about 40 miles from the SSU campus.
The goal this year is to provide gifts to over 300 children. The event operates with three different categories of toys: small, medium and large, ensuring every child receives at least six gifts, including one large item. A 6-year-old, for instance, might receive a bicycle as their large gift, two Lego sets as medium gifts and three action figures as small gifts.
Over the years, the workshop has received overwhelming support from businesses like Walmart and generous individuals from across the tristate area and beyond. Influencers and donors from across the country, as well as organizations like The Moose and For the Tristate, have come together to provide toys, contributing directly or through C3 Church’s Amazon Wishlist.
The need this year is particularly great. With the economic challenges families are facing, many are struggling to afford even the simplest holiday gifts.
“There is an incredible need right now for donations and toys,” said Cassie McClellan, a volunteer coordinator for C3 Church. She noted that it’s heartbreaking to think that any child might go without a present to open on Christmas morning.
Parents’ reactions to the workshop in past years have ranged from overjoyed to emotional.
“Two years ago, a mother came to me in tears of gratitude,” recalled Alisha Miller, another member of the C3 Church leadership team. “She told me she couldn’t afford anything for her sons, and the gifts from C3 allowed her to give them more than she could have imagined.”
Miller also mentioned a grandmother who had recently taken custody of her four grandchildren after their mother went to prison and was able to provide a memorable Christmas thanks to the community’s generosity.
The toy drive’s success hinges not just on donations, but also on the dedicated volunteers who help make the event possible. These volunteers assist parents in selecting the best gifts for their children, ensuring that each present fits the child’s age and preferences.
McClellan expressed her gratitude for those who show up to lend a hand year after year. “It’s a lot of hard work and time, but the people who come to help every year make it all worth it,” she said.
C3 Church is using a first-come, first-served system, with parents signing up via a Google Form. Due to limited resources, the toy drive can only support around 300 kids. While church representatives wish they could do more, they are committed to making a difference for as many families as possible.
As the holiday season approaches, the organizers of Santa’s Workshop are asking for the community’s support.
“My goal as a church would be that if we had to close for some reason, that the communities and families would be devastated, and people would realize that a light from the community is gone,” Carpenter said.
People can support the effort by donating toys or volunteering their time to ensure no child goes without a gift this Christmas. Contact the church at [email protected] for more information on how to volunteer.
