Vineyard Community Church in Wickliffe once again held its “Christmas For Kids” toy and food giveaway continuing a decades-long tradition that serves to aid families in need. From small beginnings, and through the years, 30-plus, in fact, Vineyard discovered that more and more people need assistance, particularly around the holidays. Consequently, Associate Pastor Jim Dworning noted that the program and a growing food pantry have propelled the annual affair into what it is today. “It was a couple families each year the church could help,” he said. “With our heart as a community to reach outside our church walls, we started to explore other opportunities to serve those around us, and this remains our largest outreach of the year, with over 40 volunteers, both from our church and outside, who work throughout the entire year to make this happen. “Christmas For Kids,” an annual event at Vineyard Community Church in Wickliffe, includes several tables where clients can choose from a variety of items before heading to a gift-wrapping station. (Chad Felton — The News-Herald) “Our hearts aim to include as many groups or organizations to help with this large, important undertaking — CFK is here to serve the least, last and the lost in multiple ways.” During the church’s interview process of participating families, officials ask about each child and if there are any special requests or needs to ensure appropriate toys are given. Additionally, 100 percent of everything collected for CFK, gifts and finances, is used for the program. “Donations are vitally important for the success of this program,” Dworning said. “We have worked hard to partner with local retail outlets that help us with toys and other items, at a reduced cost, which helps us get the biggest return on the money we spend.” In addition to toys and holiday cheer, Wickliffe’s Vineyard Community Church provides traditional Christmas meals, with “all the fixings,” for participating families. Outreach also includes boxed food families can use or pass on to neighbors in need. (Chad Felton — The News-Herald) He detailed that Vineyard, too, works with area churches, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Wickliffe in supporting all facets of the program. “We also partner with local businesses and restaurants that place Christmas trees in their establishments, and they conduct independent toy drives for us,” Dworning added. “Our strategic fundraising events also help with raising financial support for CFK. “It’s amazing how God works to team us (up) with groups that provide services or items that are most needed.” With the church’s sanctuary decked out like a department store “winter wonderland” — with items on display for various age groups, from newborns to teens — parents arrive at pre-arranged times to “shop” (for free) for several gifts per child. Wrapping stations also make up the festive, inviting scene, cutting out additional expenses. Vineyard also provides Christmas dinners with all the fixings and additional food families can use or pass on to people they know who might need it. “Again, it’s about helping empower the parents to provide Christmas for their children,” Dworning emphasized, adding a prayer room that is also available for anyone in need of encouragement. “Once CFK 2024 is complete, we start planning for next year, strategically shopping and finding companies to partner with us who understand our commitment to serve our community this way.” The church also holds fundraisers throughout the year to support the forthcoming event. According to officials, 87 families, with 358 kids, participated in the Dec. 14 program. Additionally, from 2008 to 2023, Vineyard has served 2,631 families with 7,271 children. Dworning said CFK would love to help everyone who needs assistance, but, after looking at sheer numbers, caps the number of families served to ensure the church doesn’t overextend “by casting too large a net.” Nevertheless, “the program’s impact and influence” can’t be diminished by simple math. “From the economic crash starting in 2008, through the pandemic, and now an economy that is struggling to rebound, as well as the impact inflation is having on everyone, we have become, and remain, a beacon of assistance,” Dworning said, extolling various Lake County agencies, local social workers and health care groups that continue to reach out to people in Vineyard’s programs. “And most of our local area churches know about our program and our community takes advantage of using CFK for their families as well.”