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Our Story “Can you please thank the person who brought these Christmas stockings? It’s nice to be able to give my children something for Christmas.” – a client at the Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) food pantry  Founder
Denise Manahan We know that there are many organizations that provide gifts for parents to give their children at the holidays. We think these organizations and their donors are absolute angels! For me, my favorite part of Christmas was always my stocking – all those little goodies; one surprise after another! I can remember putting my hand into the toe over and over just to make sure that I got everything out. Making it even more special, my mother had knit our stockings – each one was just a little different. We used them until they were so moth-eaten they would not hold gifts any more. Most of us were well into our adult years by that time. A Child’s Joy started off with the intention of sharing these memories and fun with children at the WFCM food pantry. Forty-five stockings, filled with goodies, were delivered to the food pantry in 2005. They were gone in a heartbeat. After my family, my greatest blessings are my friends and my church family. When they heard about the forty-five stockings, they wanted to help. In 2006, we dropped off 150 stockings – and this time, they were hand-sewn. Again, they were gone in a heartbeat. People have continued to join us in this ministry: the ‘grassroots’ of the organization planted at the Fairfax Church of Christ, the marvelous J-Team of teens, the people of WFCM and Our Neighbor’s Child, and friends and family as far away as Nevada, New Jersey, and Arizona. In 2007 we delivered nearly 700 filled stockings – one for each and every child between the ages of 5 and 12 served by the WFCM food pantry whose parents request help with Christmas, and four other churches and organizations. Wow – don’t you just wonder what 2008 will bring? I have a feeling it’s going to be incredible. Thank you for helping a child smile on Christmas morning. Denise |
