Central Kentucky Toy Project Returns This Christmas: Churches Partner to Share Gifts, Hope, and the Love of Christ

Annual compassion ministry brings churches together to bless families across the Bluegrass, with opportunities to donate, volunteer, and make Christmas brighter for children in need.

As the Christmas season approaches, churches throughout the Central Kentucky Network of Baptists (CKNB) are once again preparing for one of the most beloved compassion ministry traditions in the Bluegrass—the Annual Central Kentucky Toy Project!

For decades, this ministry has brought churches, volunteers, and community partners together around a simple but powerful mission: sharing the love of Jesus Christ by helping families experience the joy and blessing of Christmas.

Each year, participating churches collect new toys, clothing, games, hygiene products, and other gifts to provide Christmas shopping opportunities for families facing financial challenges. Through a network of special Christmas "toy stores," parents and guardians can select gifts for their children at just 10% of the regular retail price.

This unique approach not only helps stretch limited household budgets but also provides parents with the dignity and joy of personally choosing and purchasing meaningful gifts for their children.

And when Christmas morning arrives, hundreds of children throughout Central Kentucky will wake up to gifts beneath the tree, thanks to the generosity of churches and individuals who believe that the love of Christ is worth sharing.

More Than Toys: Sharing the Greatest Gift of Christmas

While the Toy Project is known for providing Christmas gifts, its purpose reaches far beyond what can be wrapped and placed beneath a tree.

At the heart of this ministry is a desire to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ through meaningful relationships, practical compassion, and Gospel-centered service.

Each toy store provides opportunities for volunteers to welcome families, assist parents with shopping, offer encouragement, build relationships, and share the hope found in Jesus.

In previous years, volunteers have also served through gift-wrapping stations, stocking preparation, refreshments, and countless behind-the-scenes efforts that help make each event special.

The ministry has historically served more than 1,500 children annually, demonstrating what can happen when local congregations combine their resources, generosity, and passion for reaching their communities.

The Toy Project continues to remind us of a truth at the heart of the Central Kentucky Network of Baptists: We are better together!

2026 Central Kentucky Toy Project Schedule

Several partner churches have already announced dates for this year's Christmas outreach events. We encourage church members and community partners to mark their calendars and consider how they might participate.

• Monday, November 30 | 5:30 PM — Irishtown Baptist Ministry Center, Lexington: Christmas Party and Christmas Gifts Giveaway

• Tuesday, December 1 | 5:00–8:00 PM — Paris Toy Project, Paris

• Thursday, December 3 | 6:00–8:00 PM — North View Baptist Church, Lexington

• Tuesday, December 8 | 6:00 PM — Edgewood Baptist Church, Nicholasville

• Saturday, December 12 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM — Grace Baptist Church, Lexington

Additional ministry opportunities and dates are forthcoming.

Gano Baptist Church in Georgetown and Shiloh Baptist Church in Lexington are developing alternative approaches to their Christmas outreach ministries this year. More information will be shared as details become available.

Please note that individual events may have different participation requirements or ministry formats. Families interested in attending are encouraged to contact the participating ministry location for additional information.

New Approaches to Building Lasting Relationships

This year, several participating ministries are exploring new ways to extend their compassion efforts beyond the traditional Christmas toy store model.

Irishtown Baptist Ministry Center is introducing a Christmas Family Partnership initiative, designed to connect volunteers directly with families in the community.

Through this approach, volunteers can adopt the names of children to shop for Christmas gifts while also having opportunities to meet individually with the families they are serving.

The goal is not simply to provide a memorable Christmas celebration, but to begin building meaningful, long-term mentoring relationships that can offer encouragement, support, and friendship throughout the year.

Those interested in becoming an Irishtown Christmas Family Partner mentor are encouraged to contact Pam Polkey at 859-494-7177.

Irishtown will also host its Christmas Party and Christmas Gifts Giveaway on Monday, November 30, at 5:30 PM. Additional volunteers are welcomed and appreciated.

Gano Baptist Church is also introducing a new approach through a Hope Tree initiative, similar in concept to an Angel Tree ministry. Shiloh Baptist Church is developing an alternative ministry format as well, with additional details expected soon.

These efforts reflect a shared desire among CKNB churches to do more than meet immediate needs. By investing in relationships with families, churches can create opportunities for ongoing care, encouragement, and Gospel witness long after the Christmas season has passed.

Volunteers and Donations Make the Difference

The success of the Central Kentucky Toy Project depends upon the faithful generosity of churches and individuals willing to give, serve, and pray.

There are many ways to participate!

Donate Christmas gifts. Churches, Sunday School classes, small groups, businesses, and individuals can collect new toys, clothing, games, hygiene products, and other appropriate items for children and families.

Volunteer at a participating location. Volunteers are needed to help organize donations, prepare ministry spaces, welcome families, assist with shopping, wrap gifts, and support other event activities.

Consider a family partnership. Irishtown's new Christmas Family Partnership initiative offers a special opportunity for those who want to invest in a more personal and ongoing relationship with families in the community.

Pray for the families and volunteers. Above all, we invite our churches to pray that these acts of compassion will open doors for meaningful relationships and opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

North View Baptist Church and Irishtown Baptist Ministry Center have specifically expressed a need for additional volunteers this year. Other participating locations may also welcome assistance.

Let's Share the Love of Christ This Christmas!

The Christmas story is ultimately the story of God's extraordinary generosity toward us. In sending His Son, Jesus Christ, God gave the greatest gift the world has ever known.

As we celebrate that gift, the Central Kentucky Toy Project provides a wonderful opportunity for churches to reflect His love through generosity, compassion, and service to our neighbors.

Every donated toy, every volunteer hour, every welcoming smile, and every relationship formed can become part of a much greater story—one in which families experience not only the joy of Christmas, but also the kindness and hope of Christ.

We are deeply grateful for the churches, ministry leaders, volunteers, and community partners who make this outreach possible year after year.

Together, we can help make Christmas morning brighter for children across the Bluegrass while sharing the greatest gift of all—the love of Jesus Christ.

For additional information about participating, volunteering, or partnering with the Central Kentucky Toy Project, contact the Central Kentucky Network of Baptists at office@cknb.org.