North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By Kaye Collins
The Christmas list of God’s Gift begins with the generosity of others. Stella McDowell created the Facebook group God’s Gifts, allowing community members to share their needs or donate items. All offerings within this nonprofit group are provided free of charge. For many years, God’s Gifts has made sure that teenagers aged 13 to 18, both boys and girls, can enjoy the spirit of Christmas.
“The demographic we assist frequently outgrows Toys for Tots and might not experience a Christmas without the kindness of the community in supplying gifts,” McDowell remarked. They are in search of unwrapped gifts for adolescents by depending on the goodwill of others to bring happiness to a teenager’s face on Christmas morning.
Gifts will be ready for pickup on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and they ask that recipients have reliable transportation to collect the gifts, ensuring that the individual who registered for assistance retrieves the items.
Monetary donations for the Teenage Christmas Drive can be made via cash, checks made out to God’s Gifts, PayPal at GodsgiftsTC@yahoo.com, Cash App at $StellaMcDowell, or Facebook Pay. Checks can be mailed to Stella McDowell, God’s Gifts, 260 Haley Brooke Drive, Conway, SC 29526, or drop by State Bank to deposit into God’s Gifts account.
The requested donations list, which must consist of new items, includes hats, scarves, gloves, jewelry along with jewelry boxes or racks, makeup kits, perfume or cologne, hair dryers, curling irons, straighteners, hygiene products, shoes, slippers, socks, hoodies, sweatshirts, sweaters, fuzzy socks, pajama bottoms, full-size blankets and throw blankets, earbuds, string lights for room decoration, board games, puzzles, footballs, basketballs, baseballs, workout weights, mats, fishing and hunting gear, bands, bicycles, skateboards, coffee mugs or travel cups, baseball caps, fast food gift cards, gas cards, phone cards, bedroom décor, art sets, gel pens, adult coloring books, sketch pads, wallets, purses, and Bibles.
When you come to collect gifts for your teen(s), please ensure you bring identification along with the teen’s birth certificate for verification purposes. “Our goal is to provide gifts for teenagers whose parents have signed up for the program,” McDowell stated. “Last year, we assisted 200 registered teens.” They rely on the generous donations from the community to support families during the Christmas season, making sure that teens wake up on Christmas morning to find special gifts under the tree. “This is the mission of our Teen Christmas Program,” McDowell further explained, “to see the joyful expressions of teens who feel remembered on Christmas Day.”
Drop-off sites in Loris include A Reel Fix, located at 4214 Railroad Avenue, and Ernie’s Hometown Diner, also known as Sunshine Pancake House, at 3944 Main Street. All Christmas donations must be submitted by Thursday, December 18. Additional drop-off locations can be found in Conway, Little River, Myrtle Beach, and North Myrtle Beach. For the full list, please visit God’s Gifts Facebook page.
McDowell is requesting gently used totes to assist with the Teen Christmas items. She prefers that no new totes be purchased, as she would rather allocate those funds towards gifts for the teens. Donations have been somewhat slow this year, and she hopes that people will keep donating until the final day. Two gently used televisions have been donated, and the teens will be entered into a drawing.
McDowell and the volunteers at God’s Gifts express their gratitude to everyone who has contributed items for teenagers aged 13 to 18. “Placing gifts under the Christmas tree for teens brings happiness to those whose parents cannot afford to provide presents for their older children,” McDowell stated. “Your contributions create those delightful surprises and smiles on Christmas morning; we appreciate your generosity.”
