CORE’s Christmas Blessing Store: Five Years Of Community Impact
Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the Christmas Blessing Store—a partnership between CORE and the Hollister School District—has transformed holiday seasons for local families. For half a decade, this event has made an incredible difference in the lives of those it serves. CORE’s CEO, Cary McKee, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the partnership: “CORE is honored and blessed to partner with the Hollister School District for this year’s Christmas Blessing Store. It truly is a gift for us to take what we’ve been given and share it with the community.”
Before the Covid 19 pandemic, CORE had agreements with local retailers to receive generous product donations. The abundance and breadth of donations quickly inspired a mission to provide for persons in need within the local area. This purpose well aligns with CORE’s recovery program, which fosters civic-minded service among our clients.
Although our clients were eager to help, the pandemic presented a significant challenge: social distancing ordinances prevented public events, leaving CORE with no way to distribute donations. Cary, however, found a creative solution by partnering with Dr. Brian Wilson, Superintendent of the Hollister School District. Together, they created the Christmas Blessing Store, which provides a shopping experience—free of charge—for families in need. This year’s event saw 275 children, representing over 20% of Hollister’s student population, along with their families, receive gifts and household necessities.
An Effort of Many Hands
Planning for the 2024 Christmas Blessing Store began immediately after last year’s event. Weekly pickups from local retailers, coordinated by CORE operations manager Gary Osborn, ensured a steady stream of donated goods. These donations were sorted, tested, and stored by our clients at CORE’s Branson warehouse. As the event date approached, our client volunteers worked tirelessly to prepare, often becoming emotionally invested in the knowledge that their efforts would directly benefit families in need.
Tamara Spencer, who led much of our client organizing efforts, described the experience as a deeply personal honor: “Knowing that the items we sorted would be offered to families who don’t necessarily have the money for Christmas was huge. It’s like being Santa Claus, and that’s cool!”
The inventory included bicycles, toys, clothing, shoes, electronics, home décor, Christmas decorations, and much more—essentially a mini big-box store. In early December, CORE’s trucks delivered the items to Hollister’s Tiger Pod, where CORE volunteers, school counselors, and student groups transformed the space into a welcoming store.
A Community Effort
The event’s success was made possible by a dedicated network of volunteers. Sandy Brown, a retired school counselor, returned to coordinate this year’s operations. She praised the contributions of CORE, our clients, school counselors, the National Honor Society, the Civil Air Patrol student group, Tiger Academy, Girl Scouts, and local churches. Whether setting up tables, organizing health and beauty items, or repairing bicycles, these groups ensured a seamless experience for participating families.
Dr. Wilson emphasized the event’s alignment with the school district’s mission: “Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. This event shows our students and their families that we’re here for them, creating partnerships that support both their immediate needs and their education.”
A Blessing for All
For volunteers, the event exemplified the spirit of giving. Dr. Wilson remarked on the profound impact the event has on everyone involved: “It truly is a blessing for everybody. Seeing our community come together to make a difference resonates deeply with everyone, whether they’re giving or receiving.”
This year’s Christmas Blessing Store provided families with more than gifts under the tree; it offered hope, dignity, and a renewed sense of community. From CORE’s clients to Hollister’s educators and student volunteers, the effort underscored the transformative power of giving—a testament to the store’s fitting name. As Sandy Brown put it: “This has always been a passion of mine. If I can help one student and their family have a better Christmas, it’s worth it.”
Looking ahead, Cary said that CORE remains committed to continuing this vital tradition of giving and community support.
