A Special Holiday 'Shop' for Centreville Kids

For over a dozen Centreville-area kids, Christmas came a little early this year. 

FACETS, a nonprofit which helps local families in need, held a holiday party on Friday, called a "Sibling Shop," for local kids to pick out a present for their siblings or for themselves. FACETS has hosted the holiday parties in Fairfax County for over a decade. Kids in elementary, middle and high school, and younger ate Christmas cookies and pizza, put together holiday crafts, then rummaged among the basketballs, baby dolls and other toys for gifts. 

For 15-year-old Zaid, who picked out a gift for his little brother, Saad, the parties are something of a holiday tradition. He's attended them for the last nine years. What keeps him coming back each year, though, isn't the presents: it's the people who attend.  

"Everyone that comes through, they're friendly, they're nice, they help you out," he said.

About 15 kids and some of their families came to the party at Barrios Circle in Centreville, which was the smallest party FACETS held. Most live in the affordable housing in the surrounding neighborhood, and many take advantage of the after-school programs the nonprofit holds in the community center. Five volunteers helped make sure the party ran smoothly. Nearly 100 kids in total attended two other parties FACETS held last week near Fair Oaks and George Mason. The purpose of the "shops," the group says, is to help families who have experienced poverty maintain their dignity and experience the joy of giving. 

Though many , the community supplied all the gifts FACETS needed to cover the parties—and then some. In fact, there were plenty of toys left over after the party, so the organization plans to donate them to partner nonprofits. 

"We're very fortunate; the response to the request for gifts for the holidays was tremendous," said Mary Supley Foxworth, a FACETS volunteer. The kids love the parties, she said, because many of them otherwise wouldn't be able to give their siblings a gift. 

Theresa Word, who's lived in Centreville for over 20 years, has come to the parties for many years. This year she attended with her daughter and two grandkids. FACETS has helped her through some tough times, she said, beyond the holiday parties. The organization helped send her daughter to college. 

"Whatever needs you have, they're here for you," she said. "It's a lifesaver for me."