Free Christmas Shop ILM

12/14/2025

HAPPY FREE CHRISTMAS SHOP DAY! and just like that, year 6 is over and is one for the books! 100% donations, 100% volunteer. THANK YOU to all who donated gifts, money, time, space, resources, energy - we (quite literally) could not do this, year after year, without you. ❤️🫶🏼
we will post more updates soon... but for now, the Elves need a little rest time.

12/11/2025

Registration to attend the 6th Annual Free Christmas Shop is CLOSING at ❗️8pm on Thursday, Dec. 11th❗️Please remember that *registration IS REQUIRED* to shop. Share this reminder with anyone who is planning to attend. See y'all bright & early Saturday morning 🎅🏼🧑🏻‍🎄

12/09/2025

We’ve had a lot of people ask how our Free Christmas Shop works, so here’s a little rundown. 🎄✨
👉 Step 1: Families register
Over 450 families are registered to attend this year so far. On their shopping day, they’ll come to Greater Morning Star Apostolic Church and walk through our shop to collect items for their kids.
🎁 Step 2: Every child is cared for
All items are donated by our community (THATS YOU-THANK YOU). Our goal is for every child to receive at least 1 new toy and a jacket to keep them warm this winter - we have been fortunate in years past to give more than this
🍪 Step 3: Fun for the kids, too
Kids who attend are invited into the church for a snack, craft, and a chance to pick out a gift for the adult in their life.
🎀 Step 4: Wrapped with love
We wrap all items on site to help keep the spirit of Christmas alive for the families we serve.
We’re so excited to love on these families this year — but we’re still collecting new toy donations!
📍 Drop-off: 1019 Meares Street
🗓 Wednesday, Dec 10 – Friday, Dec 12
⏰ 10am–4pm
If you’d like to help, bring a NEW toy and be part of making Christmas special for kids in the Cape Fear Region. 💛

12/08/2025

‼️DONATION STATIONS‼️ “Elves” Incoming!!!!
We will have our FCS Elves out and about this Tuesday and Wednesday to pick up donation boxes from stations that are ready.
Prefer to Deliver Instead?
If you’d like a little more time to collect items, you are very welcome to deliver your boxes directly to the shop at:
Free Christmas Shop
1019 Meares Street
Drop-off days: Thursday and Friday this week PLEASE LET US KNOW ASAP IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DELIEVER INSTEAD OF US PICKING THESE BOXES UP

12/08/2025

We have over 400 families signed up so far, and we are excited to serve our community! We are still in need of donations - especially for New Toys, Blankets and Baby items! We have donation stations out until Wednesday and we will be taking donations at 1019 Meares Street, Wednesday through Friday! Or DM us and we can arrange for one of the Elves to pick up! ❤️

12/08/2025

Are you a local bakery, or a person who grocery shops, that would like to donate muffins or breakfast treats for 40 volunteers on Saturday morning?! 🧁🧁🧁 Please reach out to us in DM or email [email protected]

11/12/2025

As you start your holiday shopping this season please consider two of our favorite stores how have supported us for years! & .ave.boutique

11/10/2025

We are super excited to partner with this year as a donation station! We will have boxes at all 5 of thier locations this year! DM us or click the link in our bio to find one near you

11/07/2025

We are so excited to announce our FIRST donation station is up and running! Now through December 15th will donate a toy for every room you play! Play a room, win a prize & give a gift! It’s a win win for everyone!

11/06/2025

We are excited to announce this years first donation station up and running! Epic Mysteries is matching every prize you in with a donation to the Free Christmas Shop until Dec 10th!

10/28/2025

Volunteering sign ups are live! Registration starts Dec First!

Location: 1019 Meares St. Wilmington, NC

12/11/2024

Shout out to the amazing chefs at for donating food to our volunteers all week. We are incredibly grateful for you!