For 55 years, Christmas for Others has been a ministry of compassion in Eastern Oklahoma County, bringing hope and dignity to families during the holiday season. What began in 1970, serving just a few families, has grown into a tradition that now touches dozens of households each year.
This past Saturday, December 6th, at First Christian Church, Midwest City, the ministry continued to live on, bringing Christmas to 72 families — including 237 children, 127 adults, 67 dogs, and 29 cats. Each received groceries, gifts, clothing, and other essentials, along with the joy of fellowship and celebration. Children visited Santa, chose toys for themselves, and even selected gifts for their parents, which volunteers wrapped with care.
Foster Feet Partnership – A part of this year’s program was the continued support from Foster Feet, a ministry of Central Christian Church in Enid. Foster Feet donated 83 pairs of shoes and 103 pairs of socks, ensuring that every child had sturdy footwear and warm essentials. Their generosity significantly impacts Christmas for Others, meeting one of the most frequent requests from families.
Legacy of Midwest Boulevard Christian Church – Christmas for Others was founded by Midwest Boulevard Christian Church in 1971. Even after the congregation closed, its commitment to serving families lives on through an endowment established with the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation. The annual proceeds from that endowment help sustain the ministry, ensuring that the church’s vision of compassion endures for generations.
A Shared Mission – This ministry continues through the efforts of volunteers at First Christian Church, Midwest City, and various other churches and community organizations, sustained by a network of generosity. ODF is proud to support this ministry through grants and by enhancing partner programs like Foster Feet. Together, these efforts ensure that families not only receive gifts under the tree but also the essentials they need to thrive.
As one volunteer shared, “It just doesn’t feel like Christmas until we serve at Christmas for Others.” That spirit of giving — multiplied through partnerships, endowments, and grants — is what makes this ministry a living example of God’s love at work in the community.