Families waited in line out the door for a chance to shop at the 11th annual Kids Free Christmas Store on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Like Santa’s elves, 30-plus volunteers (some wearing shirts that read, “Keep Calm, I Have Gifts”) were busy in different stations.
Some signed in the children and helped them list out who they were shopping for. Then the kids were escorted to the “store” where presents for different age groups and genders were separated out. Volunteers helped the kids select a present for each family member, and then ushered them to a side room where the kids could either watch a movie or create a craft while they waited for the presents to be wrapped.
Korrin Matney, known as the “head gift wrapper,” has been helping at the Christmas store for 10 years. She said the first half hour is always a bit hectic until the rhythm of the process smooths out.
Meanwhile, as children had all the fun of shopping and then watching a movie, parents and guardians waited in the lobby.
According to organizer Nancy Patton, the KFCS originated out of the Home Sweet Home For Christmas committee and started the first year from her husband’s Christmas bonus check. After that, she’s been able to secure donations and sponsors from throughout the community to support what has become a well-used resource for the community.
As the program expanded, the KFCS moved from the former American Legion to Sweet Home Evangelical Church to Hope Church. This year it moved to Freedom Hill Church. Patton reported they had 219 kids shop at the store this year, leaving with a combined total of almost 1,000 presents. On average, she said, the store serves about 185 to 200 kids per year.
While the store is for children shoppers up to age 12, Patton said she would like to see the opportunity made available to teens, as well.
“They live in families too, and a lot of kids still don’t have jobs,” Patton said, adding that she felt bad because she had to turn away a few teens who wanted to take part this year.