The Amazing Grace Worship Center in Alabaster helped more than 70 local families obtain Christmas gifts and winter necessities during a Nov. 21 toy sale, coat drive and food distribution.

During the event, church staff and members sold hundreds of toys for $1 each, gave away good-condition used coats and provided food to area families in need.

Church members and volunteers gathered and donated more than $3,000 worth of toys to sell during the event, which they sold to more than 70 area families.

“One lady just kept saying over and over again how thankful she was that her daughter was going to get a new bicycle for Christmas,” said Amazing Grace Pastor Keven Blankenship. “Our church did a good thing that day.”

While selling the toys, church volunteers also donated hams and more than 13,000 pounds of food, and will continue to donate food to those in need every third Saturday of the month from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. at the church.

Blankenship said he expected the dollar toy sale to become an annual event at the Amazing Grace Worship Center. To volunteer for the food drives, or obtain more information, visit Amazinggracewc.com.