'Operation Santa' replaces Toy Store

For the past several years, the First Baptist Church of Marlow had hosted its “Toy Store,” a ministry to local families who may not have been able to financially afford Christmas presents for children.

It was traditionally held after the Marlow Christmas Parade, but the church is going in a different direction to help people this year instead of the Toy Store.

“Like all things like that, it had run its course,” said Joe Ligon, FBC Marlow senior pastor. “We are attempting to do something different this year.”

Instead, the church is doing a program called, “Operation Santa.”

The church is asking parents and grandparents to fill out a form to request for help during the Christmas season. Filling out a form does not guarantee the church will help, but they will help as many as they can.

Once requests are received, families whom the church can assist will be contacted for more information in order to personalize the help.

Deadline for submission is Friday by 4 p.m. A link to the form is available on the church’s website, www.fbcmarlow.org or the church’s Facebook page.

“Our heart is to help as many as we can,” Ligon said. “We may not be able to help as many (with the Toy Store) but we will be able to help those individuals we do serve, more.”