It began with an excess of gift items after our spring garage sale.  Why not create a Christmas shop for children who otherwise would not be able to give Christmas gifts to their family?

So for 5 months we all collected ‘stocking-stuffer’ type gifts from family, friends, local businesses, and dollar stores.  By December 16 we had collected over 1000 gifts from any and every resource we could find, and over 300 shopping invitations had been given out by Hastings Family Service. 

December 17 was chaotic - parents upstairs with coffee and hot chocolate and children filled the dining room to overflowing.  But it was a wonderful, Spirit filled day involving volunteers from age 8 to 80+ and everyone had a special story to share at the end of the day.  

Thank you to everyone who made a sacrifice to donate and who spent a day meeting a need in our community.  The hugs and smiles from so many children were the greatest reward we could ever receive.

Lyn VanDeSteeg