Marvin’s Kids Ministry brings joy to Oconee families

Photo: Volunteers Linda Skene, Jane Poston, Susan Salis gather in the center of the items.

Each year in July, members of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Seneca begin donating new toys to grow the inventory that will become an impressive Secret Santa Shop in December.

On Dec. 14, St. Mark served nearly 50 families and 140 children (ages infant through 18) in need by providing gifts, food and clothing through its unique Marvin’s Kids Ministry.

Marvin’s Kids Ministry was begun in 1979 by the late Marvin Cely, and St. Mark continues it devotedly in his honor. Cely used to say, “Children may be in need, but they still believe in Santa Claus.”

The Marvin’s Kids Ministry, headed by St. Mark members Sandy James and Nell Hodge, reaches out to Oconee County elementary school counselors in August to help identify families in need. Each family is then visited by a St. Mark congregant to learn more about the family and what they need most. In December, St. Mark volunteers accompany the families to Walmart, shopping for clothing, shoes and coats for their children.

Perhaps the most joyful event, however, is the highly organized Secret Santa Shop, which invites parents and guardians to come to the St. Mark Center to shop and select gifts for their children from the vast array of toys, books and stocking stuffers collected from summer to winter. St. Mark members are asked to purchase two items—one valued at $20 and one at $40—based on a child’s age and gender. Local businesses contribute items as well. For example, Clemson Family Dentistry donated dozens of new toothbrushes.

On Secret Santa Shop day, St. Mark volunteer “elves” of all ages can be seen scurrying about the St. Mark Center, guiding parents, helping them shop, stuffing stockings, wrapping presents, serving refreshments and generally spreading holiday cheer and Christ’s love.

James says, “It’s an overwhelming feeling to see the joy that this experience brings to these parents to be able to provide for their children in ways that they didn’t think they could.”