This year marks the 49th anniversary of The Christmas Store, an annual community program operated in collaboration with the Interfaith Compassion Ministry, the Rotary Club of Oxford and community volunteers.

For nearly five decades, The Christmas Store has provided gifts for the children of Oxford and Lafayette County.

Last year, the community came together to contribute almost $20,000 towards The Christmas Store.

This year’s event was held on Saturday at the Oxford Conference Center and volunteers were able to provide age-appropriate toys, books and nutritious fruit to 468 children, representing around 185 families, according to Taylor Brame, director of communications for the Rotary Club of Oxford.

“These children, typically between the ages of 2 and 14, experienced the magic of the holidays thanks to the kindness of many,” Brame said.