Neighborhood Philanthropy: Rotary Club of Oxford & The Christmas Store
Logo from Rotary International
Oxford is host to some wonderful non-profit organizations that provide for our community in so many ways. We want to provide a glimpse of these organizations each month. Since 1975, the Christmas Store has been giving toys, books and fruit to Oxford and Lafayette county children. The store began collaborating with the Rotary Club of Oxford-Ole Miss in 2008 and is now working with the Rotary Club of Oxford.
Ann O’Dell created the Christmas Store in 1975, based on a similar project she read about in the Memphis newspaper. A committee at Oxford’s First Presbyterian Church operated the store for 33 years until 2008, when the newly formed Rotary Club of Oxford-Ole Miss was looking for a signature project. Jonathan Mattox, former Board of Director with the Rotary Club of Oxford-Ole Miss and now a member of the Rotary Club of Oxford, recently shared, “The club members provided an influx of new energy and ideas to the annual community event and continued as stewards of the Christmas Store until 2022 when the club closed. In 2023, the Rotary Club of Oxford assumed the role of steward as the Christmas Store enters its 48th year. The Christmas Store partners with Interfaith Compassion Ministry each year.”
The Christmas Store will take place on December 16th, and will serve children ages 14 and younger from families in need in Oxford and Lafayette County. The store provides 2 toys per child, based on a suggestion list included in our application. They also give out books and fresh fruit. They typically serve between 500-700 children. Volunteer opportunities began in mid-November and continue through the date of the event when families come to pick up their gifts.
The Christmas Store operates solely on financial contributions from community members. Jonathan shared, “Aside from financial contributions, we also depend heavily on our community volunteers to help us shop, as well as wrap presents and greet families during the event. This event would not be what it is without the continued support of our community. I look forward to the Christmas Store each year because it jump-starts the holiday season for me and the many community volunteers who come back each year to help us make this annual tradition a special day.”
We are so grateful to The Rotary Club of Oxford and its annual Christmas Store that gives joy and toys to local children each holiday season. If you’d like to become a financial sponsor or become a volunteer this year, please contact Jonathan Mattox at mattox@howortharch.com or Lena Wiley, Interfaith Compassion Ministry, at 662-236-3482 or lena_wiley@bellsouth.net.
