Christian Community Service Center’s mission is to serve the poor, hungry, disabled and otherwise needy while respecting their religious, ethnic or cultural differences.

Fact Sheet

HISTORY & PURPOSE Jingle Bell Express was created in 1980 as one of Christian Community Service Center’s first programs designed to meet the needs of low-income children. The program’s purpose is to provide Christmas joy to families who might otherwise be unable to celebrate the holidays. Jingle Bell Express is unique in comparison to other Christmas programs, as it is organized in a manner where parents “shop” for their children. We believe that this design lends dignity to families.

CLIENTS Our goal is to serve 2,500 children in 2019. Children who live in our service area, and are between the ages of infancy and 15, are eligible for enrollment. At registration, parents demonstrate financial need and proof of residency in our 33 zip code service area. In December, parents return to select new toys and books for each child. The family also receives a grocery package to stock their pantry. Clients often comment how they are able to stretch their dollars during the holiday season due to this program.

LEADERSHIP A small committee of volunteers coordinates all details for Jingle Bell Express with support from the Youth Services Manager. This includes preparing site logistics, organizing toy and book donations, and running the event. A volunteer chairperson leads the committee; 600-700 volunteers assist with actual distribution of program resources.

PROGRAM NEEDS Jingle Bell Express needs assistance with:

New toy donations/drives

New book donations/drives

Volunteer engagement

Please consider purchasing primary gifts rather than stocking stuffers. New, non-violent, unwrapped toys and books can be delivered December 9 – 11, 2019 to the program site at Bellaire United Methodist Church (4417 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire 77401). Donations are accepted year-round at CCSC. Please contact us for location details. For a wish list or gift ideas, please visit www.ccschouston.org.

For additional details, please contact:

Cathy Brown, Youth Services Manager Phone: 713-961-3993 ext.215 seasonal@ccschouston.org

2019 Jingle Bell Express

Volunteer Opportunities

Moving Night

Monday, December 9, 2019

6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.

Help unload truck and supplies.

Food Assembly

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.

Assemble food packages.

Toy & Book Sorting

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.

Sort and arrange toys and books.

Distribution Event

Friday, December 13 &

Saturday, December 14, 2019

7:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.

Assist client families as they

“shop” for toys, books and food

packages.

Event Location

Bellaire United Methodist Church

4417 Bellaire Blvd. (Just inside

Loop 610 at Newcastle)

Parking is limited. Park in the back

lots off Newcastle, walk through the

church’s back entrance to the gym.

Since 1980, Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) has

spread holiday cheer through Jingle Bell Express! With your help,

2,500 underserved children will receive new toys, books and a

holiday food package for his/her family. Thank you for helping

your neighbors in need have a beautiful Christmas!

How to Volunteer

Individual Volunteers can show up for each of the events. Come

early and stay as long as you can!

Groups of 8+ Volunteers please sign up in advance with Cathy

Brown, Youth Services Manager, at seasonal@ccschouston.org.

Children younger than age 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Volunteer Tips: Wear lightweight, casual clothes and comforta-

ble shoes. Leave valuables at home, including purses, as there is

no secure onsite storage available. Carpooling is encouraged.

Donate NEW Toys & Books

CCSC collects hundreds of quality NEW, unwrapped, non-violent

toys and books for kids age 0—15 years old. Please consider pur-

chasing primary gifts rather than stocking stuffers. Bring to CCSC

or the JBE event by December 11. Donations accepted year round.

Visit www.ccschouston.org for gift ideas.

Jingle Bell Express Contact:

Cathy Brown, Youth Services Manager

seasonal@ccschouston.org 713-961-3993 x 215

The mission of Christian Community Service Center is to serve the poor, hungry, disabled and

otherwise needy while respecting their religious, ethnic, or cultural differences.

Thank you for supporting CCSC!

Sample Timeline for 2019 Jingle Bell Express Promotion

Just a few ideas to help you promote! Select the ones that feel right for your church! September

- Share promotional materials with appropriate clergy, church staff members and/or lay leaders. - Determine focus areas and dates (Example: Jingle Bell Express Book Drive on Sunday, November 3 and

“March to the Manger” Toy Drive on Sunday, November 24).

- Set goals for donation drives. October

- Enlist help from other church members (persons to coordinate displays, flyers and booths, etc.).

- Place a promotional article in church newsletter.

- Promote the “CCSC - Jingle Bell Express 2019” wish list found at www.ccschouston.org. - Provide program information to Clergy for pulpit announcement.

November

- Set up information table in church foyer (every Sunday), emphasizing needed donations. - Place second promotional article in church newsletter.

- Recruit volunteers through Sunday School classes, youth groups. - Arrange collection of donations (specific storage area, volunteers to transport items to CCSC).

December

- Continue information table in foyer, emphasizing volunteer involvement (first Sunday).

- Deliver toy and book donations to event at Bellaire UMC (4417 Bellaire Blvd) on December 9, 10 or 11. - Volunteer at the event December 9 through 14!

Social Networking Tweets, Posts, etc.… Just forward ours!

Facebook: Christian Community Service Center Twitter: @CCSCHOUSTON

CCSC’s Jingle Bell Express program provides children with new toys, new books, and a family food package

– and operates with a small budget of about $10 per child.

It takes 700+ volunteers to sort, setup, and distribute CCSC’s Jingle Bell Express winter wonderland full of

new toys, new books, and food packages for kids!

CCSC’s Jingle Bell Express is not “just about toys.” The program meets play, literacy, and hunger needs of

underserved children in our area.

Support Jingle Bell Express by donating new nonviolent books or toys. This may be the only gift under the

tree for this child – so bigger, better toys are preferred, rather than stocking stuffers.

Don’t know what to buy? Visit our “CCSC - Jingle Bell Express 2019” wish list found at

www.ccschouston.org.

Join us on Friday, December 13th from 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. as we share Christmas magic at our Jingle

Bell Express distribution event at Bellaire UMC (4417 Bellaire Blvd).

2019 Holiday Toy & Book Drive

More than 2,500 low-income children (ages 0 to 15)

will receive help through Jingle Bell Express.

Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by sharing your blessings with others.

Donations requested: NEW, unwrapped, non-violent TOYS

NEW Children’s BOOKS Ages 0 - 15

The gift you provide may be the highlight of a child’s Christmas.

Please consider purchasing 1 or 2 “primary gifts” rather than several small “stocking stuffers.”

We believe in sharing Christmas!

The mission of Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) is to serve the poor, hungry, disabled and otherwise needy while respecting their religious, ethnic, or cultural differences.

Please remember that the gift you provide may be the highlight of a child’s Christmas. Consider purchasing 1 or 2 “primary gifts” rather than several small “stocking stuffers.” Items are requested for all age groups, but there is a particular need for teenage and pre-teen gifts (ages 10 to 15). We ask that donated items be new, unwrapped and non-violent (no Nerf guns). If a toy requires batteries, we invite you to attach them!

What Kinds of Toys & Books

Should I Donate?

We Believe In Sharing Christmas! The mission of Christian Community Service Center is to serve the poor, hungry, disabled and

otherwise needy while respecting their religious, ethnic, or cultural differences.

INFANTS

(0—2 Years)

Exersaucers

Activity Box

Fisher Price / VTech

Bouncers / Play Gym

Walkers

Baby Doll / Stroller

Push Mowers

Large Block Sets

Mickey Mouse / Elmo

Music / Light Up Toys

Teething Toys

Stackable Toys

PRE-SCHOOL

(3—5 Years)

Doll Houses

African-American /

Hispanic Dolls

Dress Up Sets

Tea/Kitchen Set

Huge Stuffed Animals

Wooden Blocks

LEGOS

Action Figures

Play Pop Up Tent

Cash Register

Train Set

ELEMENTARY

(6—9 Years)

Sleeping Bag

Art Kit

Musical Instrument

Advanced LEGO Set

Scooter / Ripstik

Sports Equipment

American Girl /

Barbie / Princess Dolls

Action Hero Figures

Remote Control Cars

Trucks

Beyblade

PRE-TEENS

(10—12 Years)

Skateboard

Scooter / Ripstik

Headphones

Tablet / Kindle

Digital Camera

Keyboard/Guitar

Purse / Wallet

Large Make-Up Kits

Perfume/Cologne

LEGO Architect Sets

Soccer Goal

Remote Control Cars

TEENAGERS

(13—15 Years)

Tablet / Kindle

Bluetooth Speakers

Beats-like Headphones

Hats, Jerseys

(Houston teams)

Crossover handbags

Electronic Games

Drawing Kit

Skateboard

Hair Appliances

Curling or Flat Iron

Keyboard/Guitar

All Ages love NEW books. Bilingual books are also cherished.

Looking for ideas? These items are quite popular:

Delivering Donations * December 9—11

THE BEST OPTION is to bring donations to the program site:

Bellaire United Methodist Church

4417 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire 77401

December 9, 10, 11 (6—8 pm) Daytime receiving also available

Early Delivery before December 9.

Please call 713-961-3993 for location details.

WISH LIST: Shop Online before December 1.

www.amazon.com—”CCSC” Jingle Bell Express 2019

Contact: Cathy Brown, seasonal@ccschouston.org or 713-961-3993 x215

Just a reminder to place on my refrigerator or calendar…

I am signed up to volunteer for Jingle Bell Express 2019:

____ Mon., 12/9 6 – 8 p.m. ____Fri., 12/13 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ____Tue., 12/10 6 – 8 p.m. ____Sat., 12/14 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ____Wed., 12/11 6 – 8 p.m.

Location: Bellaire United Methodist Church 4417 Bellaire Blvd. (just inside Loop 610 at Newcastle) Special notes: - Parking is limited! Whenever possible, please carpool to this event. - Come early and stay as long as you can.

- Volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. - Please leave your valuable items at home, including purses.

Just a reminder to place on my refrigerator or calendar…

I am signed up to volunteer for Jingle Bell Express 2019:

____ Mon., 12/9 6 – 8 p.m. ____Fri., 12/13 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ____Tue., 12/10 6 – 8 p.m. ____Sat., 12/14 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ____Wed., 12/11 6 – 8 p.m.

Location: Bellaire United Methodist Church 4417 Bellaire Blvd. (just inside Loop 610 at Newcastle) Special notes: - Parking is limited! Whenever possible, please carpool to this event. - Come early and stay as long as you can.

- Volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. - Please leave your valuable items at home, including purses.

Just a reminder to place on my refrigerator or calendar…

I am signed up to volunteer for Jingle Bell Express 2019:

____ Mon., 12/9 6 – 8 p.m. ____Fri., 12/13 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ____Tue., 12/10 6 – 8 p.m. ____Sat., 12/14 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ____Wed., 12/11 6 – 8 p.m.

Location: Bellaire United Methodist Church 4417 Bellaire Blvd. (just inside Loop 610 at Newcastle) Special notes: - Parking is limited! Whenever possible, please carpool to this event. - Come early and stay as long as you can.

- Volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. - Please leave your valuable items at home, including purses.

Just a reminder to place on my refrigerator or calendar…

I am signed up to volunteer for Jingle Bell Express 2019:

____ Mon., 12/9 6 – 8 p.m. ____Fri., 12/13 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ____Tue., 12/10 6 – 8 p.m. ____Sat., 12/14 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ____Wed., 12/11 6 – 8 p.m.

Location: Bellaire United Methodist Church 4417 Bellaire Blvd. (just inside Loop 610 at Newcastle) Special notes: - Parking is limited! Whenever possible, please carpool to this event. - Come early and stay as long as you can.

- Volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. - Please leave your valuable items at home, including purses.

Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) Volunteer Sign Up

Church/Organization:________________________________________

CONTACT INFORMATION Move

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Food Assem-

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Toys & Books

Sorting DISTRIBUTION

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CCSC Contact: Cathy Brown Phone: 713-961-3993 ext. 215 Email: seasonal@ccschouston.org Fax: 713-961-1548