The Story of Monroe Co Christmas

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For us, Monroe Co Christmas began with quiet hearts and an empty house.

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In 2019, as new empty nesters celebrating Hanukkah without our kids at home, the holidays felt different. There was a little sadness, a little extra time, and just a little bit left over—but we felt a nudge from God to use what we had to bless someone else.

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We shared the idea with family, and soon our brother and sister-in-law and their kids were all in. Together, on December 10, 2019, Monroe Co Christmas was born. By December 14, shopping had begun. By December 21, nominations were closed. That first year, we sponsored four families and wrapped 124 gifts—each one given with love, prayer, and memories we still treasure.

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Then came COVID, and like so many others, we paused for a season. But by 2023, we felt the Lord calling us to revive it as an ongoing mission in Monroe County.

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We often describe ourselves as two brothers and two sisters-in-law who love each other, love the Lord, and love our neighbors. Alongside our families and so many generous people throughout Monroe County, we come together each year to share that love through Christmas outreach.

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Our mission is simple, and it comes straight from Scripture:

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2

From Genesis to Revelation, God calls us to love our neighbors and lift one another up. That’s what we strive to do.

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Through our website and Facebook page, we accept nominations and donations, including financial gifts and items from our Amazon Wishlist. Both nominations and donations can be made anonymously. We begin with the greatest needs and stretch every dollar, including our own, to reach as many households as possible.

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A Mission That Keeps Growing

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In 2023, we sponsored 20 families, wrapped 151 gifts, and delivered 190 cookies to first responders, healthcare workers, nursing home residents, and hospital patients. It was a night that blessed us beyond measure.

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In 2024, we added a community scavenger hunt that brought more smiles across the county. By God’s grace, we gave away nearly 500 gifts and 328 cookies, blessing 21 families in just 13 hours. Seven tired little servants finished one unforgettable day with full hearts and deep gratitude to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

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In 2025, this community helped us share:

• 625 gifts across 104 people in 35 households

• 125 Elfing gifts, spreading unexpected joy

• More than 300 cookies

• Countless miles and more laughs and tears than we could ever count

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Behind those numbers were real people, real needs, and moments we will carry with us forever. There were hours of shopping and wrapping, kitchens full of cookies, vehicles full of gifts, and neighbors willing to give their time and what they had.

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We cannot measure every blessing. We can count gifts and households, but we cannot count what it means to someone to know they were remembered, prayed for, and loved.

To everyone who nominated a neighbor, donated, shopped, baked, wrapped, delivered, or prayed: thank you. You helped make all of this possible.

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The Heart Behind Every Gift

 

We keep returning to His Word:

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” — 1 Peter 4:10
“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:35

Philippians 2:3–4 reminds us to serve with humility and look to the interests of others. That is the heart we want to bring to every nomination, every gift, and every doorstep.

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Monroe Co Christmas is ordinary people offering what we have to a God who never stops giving. Our prayer is that each person we reach feels His love through ours.

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🎁 Monroe Co Christmas: Loving Our Neighbors, Sharing His Light, and Making Christmas Brighter for Monroe County.