Claire Handorf helps wrap up gifts to be given by children to their loved ones for Christmas during the 2021 Kids Shopping Day event held at Peace Church in Gladbrook. The event gives kids an opportunity to choose gifts to give to their family at no cost. Over 200 kids from around the region participated in the volunteer and donation-led effort. TAMA-GRUNDY FILE PHOTO

GLADBROOK – The 11th annual “Kids Shopping Day” will be held on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at Peace Church.

Once again at our Christmas Store kids will be able to choose just the right gifts for their family absolutely free.

Anyone from the age of 3 through seniors in high school may shop. No family member will be allowed to help their children. The 3 and 4 year olds and, if needed 5 years olds, will be aided by a volunteer.

While you are sorting or downsizing just remember that we need gently used or new items for Moms, Dads, Grandpas, Grandmas, brothers, sisters, etc. for our Christmas Store. Please no clothing except collegiate items. We also need lots of gift bags, wrapping and tissue paper and jewelry size boxes.

If you can’t store your donations you can take them to the Gladbrook MC or Peace Church. Starting the first of December all items can be left at Peace.

If it is easier for you, your items will be picked up at your home on Dec. 5. Just call Jeanne Paustian to arrange the pickup.

So look through your closets, cupboards, and drawers to see if you can find some “treasures” that you don’t use or need any more for men, women, and kids. We will stock our store, and as a community make our “Kids Shopping Day” a success.

We are also in need of 80 volunteers (men or women or high school kids) to help wrap, escort the kids on their shopping spree, and there are a variety of other jobs as well.

Another way you can help with Kids Shopping Day is give monetary donations. That way the committee can purchase items for the age brackets we are short of gifts for. You can drop off your donations at Peace Church and checks can be made out to Kids Shopping Day.

We’ll remind the children that Christmas is the birthday of God’s son, Jesus, and that God wants us to know that the best gifts we can give Jesus for His birthday are our prayers and our love. Happy children will head for home with a Christmas greeting from God, and gifts for people they love.

This project is being chaired by the Gladbrook American Legion Auxiliary Children & Youth Committee: Becky Fevold, Becky Fish, Pam Thomas, Candice Bartel, and Jeanne Paustian.

Cathy Gethmann is the gift wrapping chairman.

Please call Jeanne Paustian at 641-751-2039, Becky Fish at 641-485-1377, or Cathy Gethmann at 641-751-9639 to sign up to help.