Holiday Shops To Help Struggling Fairfax Co. Families Get Gifts

FAIRFAX, VA — The holiday season can be an expensive time for everyone, and it's an even harsher reality for families experiencing poverty and homelessness. FACETS, a nonprofit helping families struggling with poverty, is hosting several holiday shops in Fairfax County to ensure loved ones have gifts under their Christmas trees.

The Sibling Shops and Parent Shop are geared toward families with income of $20,000 or lower for a family of four, as well as families who've experienced homelessness. The Sibling Shops are holiday parties allowing children to pick out donated gifts for relatives, while the new Parent Shop will offer toys for parents to buy for a few dollars.

These families use FACETS' community centers or the Next Steps Family Shelter in Mount Vernon. Proceeds will go toward programs at the Robinson Square Community Center run by FACETS.

The times and locations for the holiday shops are:

Parent Shop

• Dec. 13: 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Robinson Square Community Center, 4400 St. Edwards Place, Fairfax

Sibling Shops

• Dec. 16: 5 p.m.-7 pm, Barros Circle Community Center, 6117 South Barros Court, Centreville
• Dec. 17: 6 p.m.-8:30 pm Robinson Square Community Center,4400 St. Edwards Place, Fairfax
• Dec. 18: 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Ragan Oaks Community Center, 12101 Ragan Oaks Court, Fairfax
• Dec. 19: 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Wedgewood Community Center, 7615 Allman Dr, Annandale
• Dec. 20: 5 p.m.- 7 p.m., Next Steps Family Program, 8794-O Sacramento Drive, Alexandria