MINDEMOYA – Kids Shop Free is back once more following a very popular showing last year at Trinity United Church in Mindemoya, with this year’s seventh annual event taking place Saturday, December 7 from 11 am to 1 pm.
“Our planning has been going pretty good. We’re getting there, I’ll put it that way,” said co-organizer Marian Sloss with a laugh. She is helping to put on the event alongside fellow volunteer Tom McQuay.
Kids Shop Free is an annual event that lets children up to the age of 10 sift through the rows of items set upon tables in the church’s basement, armed with a list of everyone for whom they wish to shop. The young ones will have the assistance of a designated shopper volunteer while their parent or guardian can enjoy refreshments at the rear of the space.
Each child gets to pick out a gift for everyone on their list, whether it be grandma, dad, a sibling or even the family pet. Once they have made their selections, one of Santa’s helpers will wrap the gifts and put a name tag on each one.
“The wrappers really enjoy helping out because it’s a worthwhile thing. It seems to bring them a lot of joy,” said Ms. Sloss.
The items up for grabs are donated from the community and Ms. Sloss said the group is still actively looking for items that can be offered at the sale.
“Donations of new or gently used items will be gratefully received at the (Trinity United Church) and at the side door. We’re going to be open during the day for the next two weeks,” she said.
All donations should be received by Friday, December 6, in order to allow the organizers time to get them arranged and categorized.
The organizing team is still looking for people to help with the various aspects of running this event.
“Some people have come forward and volunteered to help already, which is wonderful. Anyone who wishes to help in any way is welcome to come out,” said Ms. Sloss.
Kids Shop Free is held in honour of the late Marion Seabrook, the volunteer extraordinaire and educator who helped to start the Mindemoya event in its first year.
Anyone seeking further details on this event is asked to call Marian Sloss at 705-282-2816 or Tom McQuay at 705-377-5783.
