LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Hope Center in Lexington is getting ready for the season of giving.
Hope Center Assistant Director of Development Destiny Oakley says their annual holiday give-back is returning. The center is collecting donations for the event through Dec. 15.
It’s dedicated to the men, women and veterans on their recovery journey with the center, giving them the chance to shop and choose gifts like dolls, speakers, basketballs and other items for their families.
Participants also have the chance to create brand-new memories for the holidays. “So getting to help facilitate that through a holiday gift, you know, something that’s so normal to many of us is not necessarily normal for all of our clients or hasn’t been in a long time,” Oakley explained.
They are making it easy as possible for people to support the cause, with a drop-off at the center when they’re open, options to give online through their Amazon wish list, or donating to their funds that will help buy items.
Oakley says having events where members can engage with loved ones and show their gratitude is a representation of their growth, as few haven’t connected with their families in some time.
She says that even then, they remain humble with gift-giving.
“A lot of our clients didn’t want to pick out the nice name brand stuff, like they were going for some of the smaller gifts because they wanted to leave that for someone else,” Oakley shared. “And we had to remind them that it was for them. They are the someone else this is for.”
The center is expecting nearly 300 members and their families to be supported by the holiday gift drive.
The Dec. 19 event will include a Christmas gift-wrapping station inside the center, giving participants the opportunity to gift wrap their gifts before giving them.