Area children ‘shop’ for gifts for their family members during the 12th annual Kids Shopping Day held Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Peace Church in Gladbrook. Some of the younger children pictured were receiving help with their lists from volunteers. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEANNE PAUSTIAN

GLADBROOK – The 13th annual Kid’s Shopping Day (KSD) will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Peace Church.

The event’s organizers ask everyone to please remember the KSD shoppers as you do your fall downsizing. Organizers are in need of lots of gifts for all ages including toys, Barbies, action figurines, LEGOs, etc; sports items including Hawkeyes, Cyclones, Panthers, NFL, MLB, and WNBA (Caitlin Clark); fishing, hunting, and golf items; tools; Bath & Body items; and the list goes on.

Items can be dropped off at Gladbrook Methodist Church or Peace Church any time. Storing the items for later pick-up is great, too. Those in need of someone to pick up gift items should call Jeanne Paustian (see below for contact information). The “guys” will be happy to stop by the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 9 for pick-up.

“It’s great that the churches, organizations, and individuals in our community always find ways to help with our KSD efforts to support the children and families in our area,” Paustian said. “You all are whole-heartedly thanked for your monetary donations that help us purchase gifts for each shopper – or to boost the number of gift items in those departments with only a few items, for working so hard to wrap gifts, assisting our youngest shoppers, and, of course, for donating new or gently used items to be used as gift items in our KSD Christmas Store. We certainly want to thank you all for sharing the love of Jesus with so many.”

Mark those calendars for Saturday, Dec. 13. Volunteers are greatly needed. Let the organizers know if you would like to help or if you have questions: Call Jeanne at 641-751-2039, or Cathy Gethmann at 641-751-9639.