A Community Christmas Project
Since 2017, Mercy & Truth Ministries has worked year-round to bring this project to life and provide Christmas for local families in need. Through toy, food, bike, and Bible drives, along with fundraisers, our community comes together to share hope and meet practical needs.
Our largest fundraiser is held each October and is called The Great 28. We invite individuals and local businesses to give at least $365—about $1 a day for a year—and become a Great 28 superhero for a local child and family.
On Christmas Eve morning, hundreds of volunteers gather to deliver uncooked Christmas meals, toys, bikes, and Bibles to families across our community. Each volunteer group serves several families, and months of preparation make that morning possible—from collecting and organizing donations to contacting families, planning routes, packing toys, and praying over Bibles.
We partner directly with school social workers and guidance counselors. If you are seeking an application for your family, please contact your child’s school. If your children are homeschooled or not yet school-aged, please contact your local government agency, such as Social Services, to ask about an application. These agencies are best equipped to help determine which community resources may be the right fit for your family this Christmas.
Our 2026 deadline for MTM Christmas Project Applications is Monday, November 30th. Thank you for understanding that this is the latest we are able to accept applications in order to have time behind the scenes to fulfill this massive undertaking.
Our motto is “Offering a light of hope in the life of a child and adding a little sunshine to the lives of all we meet along the way.”
At the heart of this project is the love of Jesus. We desire to share His love with our community, knowing that He is our only true hope in this life.
We could not do this work without God’s help and the faithful community that gives its prayers, time, talents, and resources. We are continually grateful for the way God blesses this project and the families it serves.
In Memory of Brady Sizemore
The toys we collect and distribute are given in memory of Brady Sizemore, a much-loved young man who died unexpectedly in 2016 at the age of 13. A seventh-grade student at Gentry Middle School in Surry County, North Carolina, Brady was known for his smile, his warm hugs, and his eagerness to greet others.
Brady dreamed of serving in the U.S. Marines and never missed a chance to shake the hand of someone in uniform. He was also remembered for putting others first, lending a helping hand, and looking for ways to encourage people who were hurting.
His example continues to inspire our work at Mercy & Truth Ministries. We are grateful for his parents, Kevin and Nicole Atkins, who remain an important part of the project and its mission to serve local families.