Merriment at CAM: Help Cypress Assistance Ministries Bring Holiday Joy to Families in Need

Cypress Assistance Ministries (CAM) is ramping up for its annual holiday efforts aimed at bringing joy and support to families in the Cypress and Cy-Fair area. This year’s "Merriment at CAM" initiative is focused on collecting and distributing Christmas gifts for children in need, as well as organizing community-driven efforts like the Christmas baking basket initiative and a call for volunteers to assist with gift distribution. As the holidays approach, CAM continues to play a pivotal role in supporting families facing financial hardship, homelessness, and other crises in the local community.

Founded in 1990, Cypress Assistance Ministries is a nonprofit organization that offers a range of support services to individuals and families facing financial crisis. The organization’s mission is to help those in need regain self-sufficiency by providing services such as financial assistance with rent or utilities, food, clothing, job counseling, and more. CAM also works to alleviate the strain on families during the holidays by providing school supplies, meals, and gifts for children. Over the years, CAM has expanded its reach and continues to work with local churches, businesses, and community partners to provide assistance to thousands of families in the Cypress and Cy-Fair area.

The need in the community is significant, with over 30,000 individuals living below the poverty level in the area CAM serves. As the holidays approach, CAM’s outreach efforts are critical in making sure that no one goes without the basic necessities or the joy of the season.

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Merriment at CAM: Christmas Gifts for Children

Cypress Assistance Ministries’ Merriment at CAM campaign is currently underway for the upcoming holiday season. With over 500 children already registered for assistance, CAM is calling on local residents, businesses, schools, and congregations to contribute unwrapped toys, gift cards, and teen gifts for children who may otherwise go without this holiday season. The goal is to make sure every child in need has a gift to open on Christmas morning. CAM will be accepting donations through December 13th.

Donors are encouraged to bring new and unwrapped gifts for children, including the following items:

• Toys for Younger Children: Barbie Dolls, Dolls, Sensory Toys, Stuffed Animals, Trucks, Cars, Legos, Puzzles, Robots, Headphones, Make-believe Toys, Superheroes, Toddler Toys, Infant Toys, Play Jewelry, and more.

• Gifts for Teenagers: Hoodies, Jewelry, Handbags, Wallets, Footballs, Basketballs, Skateboards, Helmets, Earbuds, and more.

• Gift Cards: Gift cards in $25 increments for a wide range of stores.

• Specialty Gifts: Bicycles, Drones, Skateboards, Science Kits, Craft Kits, Bluetooth Speakers, and other items that children of all ages will enjoy.

Donations can be dropped off at Cypress Assistance Ministries’ location at 12930 Cypress N Houston, Cypress, TX 77429, Monday-Wednesday from 9 AM-5 PM and Thursday-Friday from 9 AM-3 PM until December 13th. For more information or to coordinate donations, donors can contact CAM at info@cypressassistance.org or call 281-955-7684. 

Christmas Baking Basket Initiative

In addition to toys and gifts, CAM is calling on individuals, families, and groups to contribute baking baskets to help spread holiday cheer in the community. These baskets will provide families in need with the ingredients to bake festive treats during the holidays and make joyful memories together. Donors are encouraged to get creative with their baskets, and they can even wrap them in cellophane with a bow for a personal touch. The baskets should be dropped off by December 13th at CAM's location during the same operating hours.

Suggested items for the Christmas baking baskets include:

• Baking Ingredients: Cake Mix, Cookie Mix, Brownie Mix, Icing/Frosting, Flour, Sugar, Brown Sugar, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Vanilla Extract, Condensed or Evaporated Milk.

• Baking Tools: Cookie Sheets, Spatulas, Cookie Cutters.

• Additional Items: Morsels (chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, etc.), Sprinkles, and other baking decorations.

These baskets are a wonderful way for the community to give back and provide families with the resources to create memorable holiday moments.

Volunteering: Spread the Holiday Joy

The holiday season also brings an opportunity to give the gift of time. CAM is seeking volunteers to help with the distribution of Christmas gifts during the week of December 16th. Volunteers will play a key role in ensuring that families in need receive their gifts in time for the holiday. CAM is encouraging individuals, groups, and organizations to sign up to assist with this important task.

Those interested in volunteering can sign up online at the following link: Volunteer for Merriment at CAM. This is a fantastic way for the community to come together and make a tangible difference in the lives of those who are struggling during the holiday season.

For more information on how to get involved with Merriment at CAM or to make a donation, visit Cypress Assistance Ministries’ website at www.cypressassistance.org.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.