The Victoria’s Hope Santa Workshop took place Saturday at the Valley Grove Community Center. Families in need were provided a private opportunity to pick out toys and gifts for the holidays. (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)
DODGE CITY – The Victoria’s Hope Santa Workshop took place Saturday at the Valley Grove Community Center. Families in need were provided a private opportunity to pick out toys and gifts for the holidays. More than 25 appointments were scheduled according to Victoria’s Hope founder April Bowen German.
German created Victoria’s Hope this past June in memory of her mother, who passed away from pancreatic cancer.
German said, “My mom was a single mom and she struggled. Despite not having much, my mom always wanted to help other people. Something like Victoria’s Hope is what she had always wanted to start.”
She added, “The point was to gets things for the single parents. I notice that they seem to want to get things for themselves.”
Victoria’s Hope has a shop in Dodge City with donated clothes, shoes and household items. For the Santa Workshop, German collected toys and gifts for qualifying families. Food was also available for families to take home thanks to a food drive held by the Good Hope Boy Scouts.
German will continue to make sure all of those in need have a merry Christmas. Things that she says are most needed are:
- Plus- and husky-size children’s clothes
- Size 40 and larger in men’s
- Plus-sizes in women’s
- Winter coats
- Blankets, comforters and bed sets
- Dishes, pots and pans, other kitchen items
- New socks, underwear, bras
- Teen gifts: e.g. video games and consoles, cologne, makeup
- Furniture (contact Victoria’s Hope to coordinate donations)
Monetary donations are always accepted to help with expenses like rent. Victoria’s Hope is quickly outgrowing its current location and will be in search for a larger place.
“The need for more space is why the event was moved to the community center. The toys and items we have left over will be given to other organizations like Karma in Cullman,” German explained.
German expressed her gratitude to those in the community, saying “Not only has this helped me grieve but it’s been a blessing. I have seen and experienced so much love and I have met so many great people. Lora (Riley) has been helping me and coming in when people need to shop. She is a godsend and kind of my boss now.”
After the holiday season, German would like to focus on collecting prom dresses and suits for the prom season.
For more information or to set up an appointment, visit Victoria’s Hope on Facebook (www.facebook.com/vickishope42018) or email hopevictorias@yahoo.com.
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