The team at Dumas Wesley Community Center is already deep into preparations for one of its most loved events of the year.
The Annual Toy Store has become a bright spot on the December calendar, offering families a meaningful way to celebrate Christmas without the stress that often comes with gift-giving.
The idea is simple: create a space where parents can shop for new toys at prices they can manage, all while keeping the joy and dignity of choosing gifts themselves.
A Community Effort From Start to Finish
This year’s Toy Store opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, inside the center’s auditorium at 126 Mobile Street.
The event is powered by a generous mix of local merchants, schools, churches, and everyday neighbors who love seeing kids light up during the holidays.
Their donations help transform the auditorium into a mini-shop filled with bright colors, shiny boxes, and rows of toys waiting for new homes.
It’s the kind of gathering that shows how much a community can do when everyone contributes a piece of something joyful.
Toys, Bikes, and the Gift of Choice
Organizers are now inviting the public to donate new toys and bicycles by Monday, December 8. Every item helps.
Once collected, the toys are priced at a small fraction of their retail cost, making it easy for parents to pick out gifts their kids will be excited to open.
Last year, the Toy Store helped more than 120 children enjoy a Christmas morning filled with surprises.
For many families, this event becomes the moment when the stress of the season shifts into something much lighter and much more hopeful.
Stories That Celebrate the Spirit of Giving
Schools across the region love getting involved, and UMS-Wright is one of the longest-standing partners.
Dana Stewart, Middle School Counselor at UMS-Wright Preparatory School, shared how special that involvement has been.
She explained that giving families the chance to choose their own gifts empowers them and builds pride.
Students and parents at the school look forward to helping every year because it feels like a hands-on way to share kindness during a season filled with excitement.
It fits beautifully with UMS-Wright’s emphasis on building character and community right alongside academics.
A Chance to Make December a Little Brighter
The Toy Store blends generosity, dignity, and fun in a way that keeps families coming back.
It gives children a holiday full of color and imagination, and it gives parents a chance to enjoy the process of choosing something perfect.
For people who want to help, donating is simple, and every contribution becomes a direct piece of joy for a child in the Mobile area.To learn more, donate, or get involved, visit www.dumaswesley.org — and be part of a tradition that brings warmth, excitement, and a little magic into the season.
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