Montgomery County Christmas Store began preparations for the holiday season

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – The Montgomery Christmas Store has been serving the community for the last 41 years, making this year the store’s anniversary year.

Even though it is just October, the volunteers at the shop have already begun preparing for the holiday season, even though it is a year-round business.

“The last few years, we have served about 1400 families and I think it will continue, maybe even more, because of the need in the economy,” Montgomery County Christmas Store Volunteer Terri Lynn Howard said.

Despite the fact that things are difficult for a lot of families right now, it is the Christmas Store’s goal to assist needy families. This is true regardless of the state of the economy.

“The budget this year, believe it or not, everybody’s always surprised to hear this, is $348,000 to purchase new goods in every department of the store,” Howard said.

Donations provide for the largest bulk of this financing, which is around 80% of the total. The shop holds the majority of its fund-raising events throughout the month of October.

“It is really, really important to have everything that our eligible shoppers need,” Howard said. “The entire Montgomery County community helps us.”

Due to COVID-19, the business did not allow families to enter the store the year before, and instead, everything was done via wish lists. However, the store hopes to resume in-person shopping this year.

“Shoppers will come in and they will get to choose items to have a good Christmas characterized by choice and dignity,” Howard said.

The procedure for submitting applications has also undergone significant revisions for this year’s operation. Families may now apply online, and they are strongly urged to do so.