What a year 2022 was for our Toy Offering. We encountered God’s abundance in ways we hadn’t previously and despite societal pressures of cost of living, we provided toys to 183 families and 270 children.
We gave out over 1000 toys, donated by some amazing local organisations, charities and groups. Due to the generosity of the Renewal congregation, and local links, children had something to open on Christmas Day morning.
You can continue to give to Renewal’s Community Fund which will support families and individuals, not just at Christmas time, but throughout the year with the different forms of support and connections we have.
Keep an eye on this page from October to the new Toy Offering Wish List, some new ideas o gifts and more information on how you can support – Toy Offering 2023!
Toy Offering is one of the best Christmas traditions at Renewal. Toy Offering gives presents to families and children who would otherwise have nothing to open on Christmas morning. Renewal partners with organisations, charities and individuals who donate brand new toys, games, crafts and pyjamas for each child. Social Services, Women’s Aid, local schools and other agencies, as well as our own staff team refer families in need to the Toy Offering Appeal. When a referral is made, the name, age and gender of each child is recorded to ensure they receive age appropriate toys.
Toy Offering 2021 reached 271 families across our Chelmsley Wood, Solihull and Stratford locations, giving out over 1600 toys to 604 children.
“The Toy Offering gave me opportunity to replace their presents and give them a happy Christmas. The children’s mother cried when she received them. On Christmas Day she explained who the presents were from and both the children cried. In Kerry’s words “Thank God for the kind people at your church. My children had the Christmas they deserve, thanks to them.”
“Family were in poverty due to the energy crisis. Mother was choosing to eat little to none to ensure that her children were fed, clothed, and had warmth in the house. Family were supported with food bank vouchers and the children were provided with school uniform.”
You can give through our Amazon Wish List which will be regularly updated to ensure there are no age group gaps! This is the best way to see what we need. These toys will then be distributed across locations to ensure the grotto is full of age appropriate toys.
Giving financially enables us to shop at The Entertainer where we have 20% discount on all toys. This means your money will go 20% further than if you were to purchase something. It also means we can purchase the toys we need to make sure every child will receives an equal amount.
Toy Offering Sunday will be at all Renewal locations on the 27th November ’22. Bring a toy to the gathering, where we will celebrate the giving together and pray for the families who will receive toys. For many, this tradition has become the beginning of the Christmas season. We cant wait to see all of the toys arriving!
0-18 months: Small soft toys, stacking and teething rings and toys, toys to shake, touch and feel. (No knitted toys), pyjama sets.
Toddlers (Under 3s): Stacking rings, wooden jigsaws, small pull along toys, shape sorters, character plates & dining sets, pyjama sets.
Boys/Girls (4-7s): Games, books, cars, trucks, dolls, play doh sets, National Geographic sets, lego, duplo, pyjama sets.
Boys/Girls (8-10s): Games, Annuals (dated for the correct year), lego, national, lego, crafts, pyjama sets.
Teenagers (10-16yrs): Toiletry sets and financial giving through the ‘financial giving’ option above to fund a gift card.
We don’t want anyone to struggle this Christmas. If you know someone who may be facing financial hardship or who would otherwise go without this Christmas, do not hesitate to get in touch. The referral will need to come through an agency or a member of the Renewal church family.
If you have a question about our Toy Offering, please use this form to get in touch and one of our team will get back to you soon.
