St. Peter, MN — On Monday, December 16th, the Solace Christmas Store took place at Living Truth Fellowship, continuing a cherished tradition that has been bringing holiday joy to families and individuals since 2018. The event, which provides an opportunity for parents to select and wrap gifts for their children, as well as for children to pick out gifts for their parents, was a heartfelt celebration of community and generosity.

The Christmas Store, which began as a small initiative by Asociación de Vivienda del Suroeste de Minnesota (SWMHP), has grown into a beloved annual event. In 2018, Ashley McCarthy, then Tenant Services Navigator at Solace Apartments in St. Peter, took on the task of organizing a toy donation drive for families. “The first year, it was just me and a collection of secondhand toys,” Ashley recalls. “But I wanted to make sure no one had to give their children presents out of a trash bag, so I set up everything like a store. It’s amazing to see how it has grown into something so much larger.”

Over the years, the Solace Christmas Store has evolved into a significant event, thanks to the dedication of staff, local partners, and generous donations. The event was originally organized for the families of Solace Apartments in St. Peter, with leftover items donated to Union Place and other local programs. Recognizing shared values and needs, the Solace Christmas Store was opened to Union Place residents in 2021. This year’s celebration included a free taco bar dinner, gift wrapping, a shuttle service from Solace Apartments and Union Place to the event, family photos, and onsite childcare.

The success of the event was made possible through contributions from multiple partners, including SWMHP staff, Living Truth Fellowship, Minnesota River Valley Transit (MRVT), and student volunteers from Gustavus Adolphus College. McCarthy, now SWMHP’s Director of Supportive Services, and Paige Petersen, Resident Services Navigator at Solace, share a vision of creating a supportive and welcoming environment for families during the holiday season. This spirit of connection and giving continues to be the foundation of this local tradition.

The Solace Christmas Store reflects the values that guide Solace Apartments — a stable and supportive environment where families can rebuild, recover, and thrive. The success of this year’s event marks another milestone in the growing impact of the Solace Christmas Store, which will continue to provide support, connection, and holiday joy for years to come.

About Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership
The Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership (SWMHP) is a non-profit community development corporation serving communities throughout Southwest and South Central Minnesota. Our mission is to partner with communities to develop places for people to call home. We envision a region where every person has access to a welcoming home, and every place has a thriving and equitable community. SWMHP provides a wide range of housing services including community planning, technical assistance, and housing development.

If you would like to donate to SWMHP or future events like this, please visit: www.swmhp.org.

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Media Contact:
Ashley McCarthy
Director of Supportive Services
[email protected]
507.836.1628