The Christmas Place (Operation Sharing)

The Christmas Place is an annual event that gives Oxford County families in need an opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts.

The Christmas Place is an annual event that helps to provide Christmas gifts to the less fortunate of Oxford County. Each year we need donations of new gifts from churches, local residence, schools, service clubs and businesses to continue providing this year. History of The Christmas Place:
The program was originated out of Dundas Street United Church and initiated by Val Drane and Carol Ewing.

These amazing women worked in the elementary school system and
often saw that after Christmas there was a disparity between the families that could afford Christmas gifts and those that could not. They wanted to provide a place that would allow
the less fortunate families to have the same opportunity for the joy of Christmas morning where their kids could find something under the tree. The Christmas Place started in 1980
and since has help hundreds of families each year. In 2006, the torch was passed to Kathy Gardiner who has taken on the task of organizing this event every year since. The Christmas Place has joined the Operation Sharing Family and continues to provide this opportunity every holiday season. How it works:
The Christmas place accepts donations from community members and businesses. Parents receive invitations to shop via all social agencies or churches in Oxford county. Volunteers help to accept and sort donations, then set up a “store” at a local church. This year the store will be at Huron Park Baptist. Parents are then encouraged to come and shop for their children aged 0-18 early December. All toys and gifts are brand new but only cost each family $1-$3 dollars each. Parents are allowed to spend a total of $4 per child. Many of the donations we receive are beautiful toys ranging up to $100 retail value. Pre Covid, and this year we are inviting all the children of these families to come back and shop for their siblings and parents on what we call “Kids Day”. This shopping experience is by donation only with a personal elf shopper to assist each child with their list. Our goal is offering a hand up vs a handout that still allows parents the opportunity to find and afford that perfect gift for each child regardless of their financial challenges during the Christmas Season. If you have any questions, please contact
Kathy Gardiner Director of The Christmas Place
519-533-7493

03/01/2026

Very proud of our small team 'Christmas Place Comrades'. Thank you to everyone who donated! We raised almost 1500.00 to support Operation Sharing and had a lot of laughs along the way. Great night!

02/09/2026

It’s cold out there! The Coldest Night of the Year is a winterrific family-friendly fundraising walk in support of local charities. Let’s change the tune for people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness... because it’s cold out there.

02/09/2026

Hi everyone! The Christmas Place has a team walking in the the coldest night of the year . All funds raised go towards our local Operation Sharing ! Please consider sponsoring our team.

Photos from The Christmas Place (Operation Sharing)'s post

12/17/2025

A few of the many many volunteers that make Christmas Place a reality each and every year. ❤️🎄🎁

12/14/2025

Just in time for Kids Day Saturday!

12/11/2025

We will be OPEN again today! PLEASE PARK OVER AT HURON PARK SECONDARY SCHOOL again today. Until we can have the Church parking lot plowed. Thank you! Safe travels!

12/10/2025

VOLUNTEERS AND SHOPPERS: Please park in the Huron Park School parking lot across from the church. Currently as our parking lot is closed at the church To be cleared be plowed.

DONATIONS DROP OFF: please see Huron Park Baptist staff at the entrance and exit of the church parking lot and they will let you come to the back door to drop off.

12/10/2025

Weather update!
We will be open today. We want everyone safe though and understand that a lot of kids are home from school today. Anyone who's designated shopping day is today is welcome to come tomorrow, Thursday December 11th to shop instead between 11am-7pm.

12/10/2025

Meet Layla, a local teen who embodies entrepreneurial drive and empathy, creating and selling Reindeer hot chocolate to fund $1,000 in gifts for The Christmas Place. Wow!🤯

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Telephone

+15195337493

Website

https://www.operationsharing.ca/

Address

199 Berwick Street
Woodstock, ON
N4S7L6

The Christmas Place (Operation Sharing)

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