WIMAUMA, Fla. — Stepping into La Posada is a childs dream with toys on every shelf and a warm welcome.

The Christmas shop was opened by Beth-El Farmworker Ministry on Tuesday to make the holiday shopping experience a little easier after families in South Hillsborough County were hit hard by recent hurricanes.


What You Need To Know

  • Beth-El Farmworker Ministry serves the farming community in South Hillsborough County

  • The faith based organization opened La Posada to help families shop for Christmas presents

  • The shop is open to those families who have already registered

“Right now, babies get one toy and a gift card,” said Teresita Matos-Post, the Executive Director for Beth-El Farmworker Ministry.

The ministry serves the farming community with food, financial relief, education and more.

Matos-Post says nearly 100 families registered and each family has an appointment to shop.

“As a faith-based organization, Christmas is the high holy days of the Christian calendar so for us it’s a step beyond crisis response and participating and sharing joy with the community,” she said.

They have toys for children of all ages and clothes for families to choose from. 

Matos-Post says although the shelves are well-stocked, they’re still in need of baby toys.

Sandra Monserrate is donating because she knows what this means for families.

“In 2008 or I was waiting to receive my military compensation and they helped me out for a few months, me and my children,” said Monserrate. “Clothes is always needed; I remember being a kid and always liking to receive a new set of clothes and stuff like that and that used to brighten my day.”

Once families pick up the toys, they can also have them gift wrapped by volunteers.

Matos-Post says things like that make the families they serve happy.

“Our hope is that this becomes a norm here at Beth-El and that in all the area not just for Christmas and for the toys but that we increase the ways that we invite the community to collaborate and come together,” she said.

La Posada Christmas store is still looking for volunteers as well as donations.

The store is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during these remaining dates:

  • Thu, Dec. 12
  • Fri, Dec. 13
  • Sun, Dec. 15
  • Tue, Dec. 17

The organization also has a holiday wish list on Amazon.