Spreading Joy at House of Mercy

Jan 2, 2025 | Articles

The Impact of Christmas with Mercy 2024

The holiday season is a time of joy, love, and giving, but for many families in our community, it can also be a time of financial hardship and worry. At House of Mercy, we believe every child deserves to experience the magic of Christmas, and thanks to the incredible support of our partners, donors, and volunteers, Christmas with Mercy 2024 delivered that magic in abundance.


A Heartwarming Tradition

Christmas with Mercy is more than a toy giveaway—it’s a celebration of community, compassion, and generosity. This year, families in need were invited to experience the joy of selecting gifts for their children from our “free toy store.” From our pool of 1,068 active families with children, 440 families were able to provide a Christmas morning filled with smiles and surprises.

Thanks to your support, the impact was immense:

  • 1,305 children received toys.
  • 5,762 new toys were distributed.
  • 1,518 winter coats kept kids warm.
  • Volunteers gave 979 hours of their time.


Moments That Matter

Every toy, every coat, and every kind gesture carries a story. One such story was shared by our beloved volunteer, Jennifer:

“There was one BIG toy kitchen/grocery store set-up, complete with fake food, coins, dishes, and a register, that I was SURE was going to be taken home within the first hour. But it sat until the afternoon. One mother, feeling insecure about not being able to provide Christmas presents, noticed the kitchen/store set-up. When she realized what it was, she was absolutely overjoyed. I cried, she cried, the dad cried, and we all left knowing that toy was meant for her child.”

This is the true spirit of Christmas—bringing hope and happiness to families when they need it most.


A Network of Support

Christmas with Mercy would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our community partners. We are deeply grateful to every organization that contributed to the success of this year’s event.

Toy Donation Sponsors (Largest Drives)

  • Cuisine Solutions
  • Alive Church (Nokesville)
  • Toys for Tots
  • Nokesville Methodist Church
  • The Haecker Family Charitable Fund

Coat Drive Partner

  • Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of the Rosary

Shoe Drive Partner

  • All Saints Catholic School

Sock Drive Partner

  • Bombas

Event Sponsors

  • Ivy Foundation of Greater Prince William County
  • Target (Gainesville)

Community Partners (Pop-Up Events)

  • Manassas Farmers Market
  • Anytime Fitness
  • Giant (Gainesville)
  • Pizza Margherita

Toy Drive Partners

  • United Bank (Manassas)
  • Panera Bread (Gainesville)
  • Samson Properties
  • Flower Gallery of Manassas
  • St. Mary of Sorrows Church
  • WDP & Associates
  • NOVEC Helps
  • Linton Hall School
  • RXR3 Recovery Lounge
  • ClosetsByDesign
  • Kline Engineering and Consulting
  • Popcorn Monkey
  • Sweet Frog (Manassas)
  • Children of America (Manassas)
  • SES Satellite Communication Services
  • Bakhita Kids
  • Our Lady of Hope Catholic School
  • Dominion Woman’s Club
  • Aim High Youth Sports

Angel Tree Partners

  • St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church
  • American Disposal Service
  • Medical Massage Specialties / The Oasis (Manassas)
  • St. Mark Catholic Church
  • Holy Trinity Catholic Church

The Power of Community

Christmas with Mercy is a testament to what we can accomplish together. From the generous donations to the time and energy of our volunteers, this event brought joy to families who might otherwise have faced a difficult holiday season.

As we reflect on the success of 2024, we are filled with gratitude and hope for the future. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making Christmas with Mercy a cherished memory for so many.

A special thank you to our Top Sponsors listed below.  Together, we are a community that cares, and together, we will continue to make a difference.


Moments of Joy

 

Archives