Bringing Hope and Joy: CityHope Church’s Merry Christmas Gulf Coast
At Fantasy Island Toys, we have the privilege of working with so many wonderful organizations throughout the year, but few touch our hearts quite like CityHope Church and their Merry Christmas Gulf Coast outreach. Each holiday season, their team shops with us and other local retailers to help bring the magic of Christmas to children and families in need across Baldwin and Mobile Counties.
We are always in awe of the heart, organization, and love that go into this project. To help tell their story, we connected with Pastor Melanie Daw to learn more about how Merry Christmas Gulf Coast began and the incredible impact it continues to make.
A Mission That Began with a Burden to Serve
Merry Christmas Gulf Coast began more than 20 years ago with a simple but powerful vision from CityHope’s founding pastor; a desire to assist families in need within Baldwin County. What started as a small act of generosity has grown into a large-scale outreach that now serves families across both Baldwin and Mobile Counties, sharing hope and joy with over a thousand children each year.
How Families Are Chosen
To ensure that help reaches those who need it most, CityHope partners closely with Mobile and Baldwin County DHR social workers and local school counselors. These partnerships identify families caring for foster children or those within family preservation units, as well as students and families facing significant need. Each connection is made with care and compassion, ensuring that no child is overlooked during the holiday season.
A Day Filled with Dignity, Love, and Joy
The Merry Christmas Gulf Coast event is so much more than just a toy giveaway, it’s an intentional and deeply personal experience. Each family is paired with a host who walks alongside them throughout the day. The experience begins with a message of hope and a time of prayer before families enter a beautifully organized shopping area where they personally select gifts for their children.
Once the shopping is complete, volunteers wrap each gift while families enjoy refreshments and meaningful time with their host. It’s a day filled with joy, connection, and compassion - a reminder that the Christmas season is about being seen, loved, and valued.
The Heart Behind the Mission
“Merry Christmas Gulf Coast is not just a handout of toys,” shared Pastor Melanie. “We strive to create an intentional experience where families have the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and know that they are seen and important to Him. Lives have been changed through the simple act of receiving a Christmas gift for their children.”
This year, CityHope expects to serve 1,100 children, each one receiving gifts carefully selected with love.
How to Get Involved
CityHope’s outreach efforts continue year-round through their giving initiative, Kingdom Builders, which supports projects like Merry Christmas Gulf Coast along with many others that bring hope and practical help to people across our community and beyond.
If you’re looking for a way to make a lasting impact this holiday season, we encourage you to learn more about Kingdom Builders and consider giving, volunteering, or spreading the word.
A Final Note of Gratitude
We are so thankful for CityHope Church and their dedication to serving families across the Gulf Coast. Thank you for choosing to shop local with us and for allowing Fantasy Island Toys to play a small part in this life-changing outreach. Together, we can make the holidays a little brighter for those who need it most.
❤️💙❤️
