Brad Paisley Launches Free Toy Store for Families in Need This Christmas
By Movieguide® Contributor
Country music star Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly run a charity that provides people in need with resources year-round, but for Christmas, they converted it into a free toy store.
“People come on hard times and we want this to be a safe, welcoming place for everybody, whether you’re volunteering or whether you’re needing the services,” Kimberly told AP News. “It’s just a community and we’re all in it together.”
“The emotional aspect of being able to give your child something your child wanted versus just something to sort of get you through the holidays, that’s such a load off the minds of somebody who maybe didn’t think they were going to be able to do that,” Brad added.
Over the two-day event, the store was visited by over 400 families who were able to pick out clothes and toys for the holiday season.
“It’s a very much dignified process, and it gives you the freedom of choice,” said shopper Brodie, who came to the store with her granddaughter La’Delegant Hartsfield. “So we have choice in what we present to tour children. And we have choice in what we feed and put on the table, which of course empowers you.”
The Christmas present event was a holiday celebration run by the couple’s charity, The Store, which offers free groceries year-round for those in need.
“The Store operates as a year-round free grocery store allowing people to shop for their basic needs,” the non-profit’s website explains. “There is no charge to those referred or to the people and agencies that send them. They may shop for food to supplement their income during times of crisis and as they work toward self-sufficiency.”
Brad and Kimberly were inspired to create the charity in 2020 after visiting a similar organization called Unity Shoppe in Santa Barbara, which has been supporting its community for over a century, per Faithwire.
“We took our boys to Unity Shoppe to teach them about serving others and giving back to people in need,” Brad explained. “And we came away surprised by what the organization had taught us. Most people don’t want handouts; they want dignity and respect. Most people want to become self-sufficient.”
Movieguide® previously reported on the Paisleys:
Country star Brad Paisley and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, have been married for nearly two decades, something practically unheard of in the entertainment industry.
The couple recently shared what makes their relationship tick, and much of it boils down to enjoying their time together.
One habit they do together is share a journal about their “greatest hits.”
“We record the meaningful moments, the best laughs. That’s a big part of our relationship—focusing on the laughter and keeping a sense of play,” Kimberly told People.
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