About Johnson County Christmas Bureau

"More than a history, this is a story of dedicated individuals who have given of their time and of themselves to make the holiday season a little brighter for those less fortunate."

- Ruth Keroher, Shawnee Mission Chapter of AAUW (founding organization)

Meet Our Team

Who We Are

The Johnson County Christmas Bureau is a 501(C)(3) non-profit, non-denominational agency created to provide the county’s low-income families with groceries, clothes, toys, hats, gloves, socks, adult and teen gifts, books and personal care items for the holidays. The Bureau began as an adopt-a-family project in 1960 by a group of women from the Shawnee Mission Chapter of AAUW; the Holiday Shop format was introduced in 1977.

Although Johnson County has a reputation for affluence, the rising level of poverty in the county is swelling the number of families seeking holiday assistance from the Bureau.

The Holiday Shop, held over a nine day period in early December, annually serves more than 2,800 families, (more than 10,000 individuals), who otherwise would go without during the holiday season. Many are working families trying to make ends meet; more than 70 percent are women and children. Nursing home residents also are served by our program.

Qualifying clients are referred by SRS, Catholic Community Services, schools, and other agencies. Upon completion of an application, clients are given an appointment to shop. With the help of volunteers, clients select a prescribed number of food and gift items pegged to the size of their family. Clients pay a small dignity fee.

All items provided to our clients are new, with the exception of gently used coats and books.

Our volunteers work year-round purchasing items at a discount and seeking new donated items to prepare for each year’s Holiday Shop. Over a two week period from set-up to take-down, more than 3,000 volunteers help at the Holiday Shop, held in donated space.

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Won’t You Help Us?

The Bureau is 100 percent dependent on community support. Businesses, service and religious organizations, schools, grants, individuals and the United Way provide our funding. Historically, 90 percent of donated funds go toward the purchase of new merchandise and groceries for clients. You can help by holding food, personal care product or used coat drives; donating new clothing or gifts for adults and children, toys for children up to age 10, or teen gifts; or collecting new socks, underwear, gloves and hats for all ages. Please see our “Wish List” on the website.

When you donate your time and/or money to the Christmas Bureau, you help make the holiday season a little brighter for families facing difficult financial times. Thank you!

Making the holidays brighter for low-income Johnson County residents.