Nashville Stunned by Brad Paisley & Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s Surprise Christmas Gift
In early December 2025, Nashville once again experienced one of the most heartwarming holiday traditions of the year:
the third‑annual Holiday Toy Store hosted by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams‑Paisley, the beloved country music star and acclaimed actress who together co‑founded the nonprofit known simply as The Store.
What began as a compassionate response to rising food insecurity has blossomed into a full‑blown community lifeline — and this year’s Toy Store event brought joy and dignity to more than 1,100 children and their families during the Christmas season.
A Grocery Store With a Unique Mission
The Store, located in Nashville, isn’t a typical charity operation.
Instead of distributing food and essentials through a traditional food pantry model, The Store operates more like a free grocery store where individuals and families facing financial hardship can shop for nutritious food and household goods without any cost.
Before families are invited to shop, they go through a simple eligibility screening process to ensure the support goes to those truly in need.
Once approved, customers walk through aisles of fresh produce, dairy products, pantry staples, and other necessities, selecting the items they want — much like a regular supermarket experience.
The Store’s leadership emphasizes that this approach preserves dignity and choice, instead of offering handouts that might make recipients feel uncomfortable or stigmatized.
As The Store’s mission statement puts it: “The Store is more than a place to get free groceries; it’s a space where individuals and families can choose from a variety of healthy, fresh, and nutritious foods… without the worry of cost.”
It’s a philosophy rooted in empathy: rather than simply giving food away, The Store gives people agency. This ethos carries over into every program the nonprofit offers — including its now‑annual holiday Toy Store.
Turning Purpose Into Holiday Magic
From December 5–6, 2025, The Store transformed part of its Nashville facility into a vibrant, festive Toy Store where families could select gifts for their children at no cost.
This wasn’t merely a toy giveaway; it was an opportunity for parents and caregivers to shop with pride, choosing meaningful, thoughtful gifts that reflected their children’s personalities and interests.
The scale of the event was remarkable:
More than 5,000 toys were available for selection.
Over 600 volunteers helped run the multi‑day event.
More than 1,100 children received Christmas presents chosen just for them this year.
What made the event especially meaningful wasn’t just the quantity of toys, but the quality of the experience.
Rather than distributing gifts in a rushed or impersonal way, The Store created a supportive, cheerful environment where families could take their time, browse selections, and pick out toys much as they would in any bustling holiday toy shop.
A Wide Array of Gifts
The range of toys at the event was impressive, spanning countless categories and age groups. Families could choose from classic favorites to high‑end items, including:
Bicycles in various sizes for all ages.
A selection of 30 Gibson guitars generously donated by Gibson Gives, providing musical inspiration for aspiring young performers.
Educational toys, games, arts and crafts.
Classic dolls, action figures, board games, and more.
These choices enabled children to find gifts that truly suited their interests — whether they loved music, outdoor play, creative pursuits, or imaginative fun.
Recognizing that some parents wanted to keep the gifts a surprise, The Store thoughtfully offered supervised activities for children while their caregivers shopped.
This feature allowed families to preserve the magic of the holiday reveal without concern.
Voices From the Hearts Behind the Cause
The passion driving this initiative comes directly from its founders. In a video shared on social media during the event, Kimberly Williams‑Paisley spoke warmly about the emotional significance of the Toy Store:
“This kind of normalcy — getting to pick a gift for someone you love — might fall by the wayside if you’re facing food insecurity, because you don’t have the money for a luxury like that.”
She went on to emphasize the importance of dignity: “It’s essential that people retain their dignity. We want this to feel a little bit luxurious and special.”
Her words reflect the organization’s underlying principle: charity doesn’t mean sacrificing one’s sense of worth. Rather, it’s about uplifting individuals and families in a way that honors their humanity.
Similarly, Brad Paisley spoke with local news affiliates in Nashville, highlighting how the Toy Store perfectly embodies the spirit of The Store’s broader mission.
He explained that while providing groceries meets an essential need, offering children the chance to choose their own gifts shows what true dignity and choice look like in action.
“When you see kids come in and pick what they want, it’s just the best sort of encapsulation of what we want to do.”
A Community Effort
The Toy Store’s success wasn’t possible through the efforts of the Paisleys alone — it was a community achievement made possible by numerous partners and contributors.
The event was presented by Sam’s Club, whose support helped ensure that the hundreds of families who shopped had access to a wide and varied selection of toys.
Volunteers poured in from across Greater Nashville: local businesses, schools, church groups, nonprofit partners, and individuals all gave their time to help set up displays, assist families, wrap gifts, serve refreshments, and keep spirits bright.
Many community members also donated toys, books, bikes, and other gifts to stock the shelves. Their generosity created a celebration that felt truly inclusive — not just for the families who shopped, but for everyone who participated.
More Than Gifts — A Tradition of Support
Though the Toy Store is a holiday centerpiece, it’s only one part of what The Store does year‑round. The nonprofit’s original mission is to address food insecurity — an issue impacting thousands of families in Nashville and across the United States.
Providing food isn’t simply about filling stomachs; it’s about fostering nutritional health, stability, and confidence, giving people strength to pursue employment, education, and long‑term wellbeing.
In addition to groceries, The Store offers other resources such as:
Supportive community programs.
Volunteer opportunities that build connections.
Advocacy and education on nutrition and financial resilience.
The nonprofit has grown significantly since it opened its first location, and there are ongoing efforts to expand capacity to help even more families in the years ahead.
Why This Matters
The significance of events like The Store’s Toy Store goes far beyond the immediate joy of unwrapping presents. For families living with food insecurity, the holiday season can be especially stressful.
When resources are tight, parents often must choose between essentials and extra things like toys, holiday meals, or warm clothes. The Toy Store alleviates that pressure and replaces it with a moment of pride and celebration.
Instead of waiting in line for bags of pre‑selected goods, families choose what they need and want — an experience that restores dignity and normalcy.
It isn’t just the children who benefit; caregivers feel a sense of empowerment, knowing they can provide something special for their loved ones.
Looking Forward
As The Store continues its mission into 2026 and beyond, supporters are already talking about building on this momentum — expanding programs, partnering with more local organizations, and creating year‑round opportunities for families in need.
For many in Nashville, The Store has become a symbol of what community can look like when people come together to help one another — not with pity, but with respect, compassion, and genuine care.
And for the children whose eyes lit up while choosing their own Christmas gifts in December 2025, the Toy Store wasn’t just an event. It was a moment of pure joy — a reminder that every child deserves hope, happiness, and the freedom to believe in magic.
In early December 2025, Nashville once again experienced one of the most heartwarming holiday traditions of the year:
the third‑annual Holiday Toy Store hosted by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams‑Paisley, the beloved country music star and acclaimed actress who together co‑founded the nonprofit known simply as The Store.
What began as a compassionate response to rising food insecurity has blossomed into a full‑blown community lifeline — and this year’s Toy Store event brought joy and dignity to more than 1,100 children and their families during the Christmas season.
A Grocery Store With a Unique Mission
The Store, located in Nashville, isn’t a typical charity operation.