BY JENN SAMSEL
To assist those in need of Christmas shopping, the Community Partnership hosted its 5th annual Christmas Shop for parents facing financial difficulties.
The event took place on Monday, December 8th, at Keystone Heights Junior High School.
“We try to provide them opportunities to shop at discounted prices right here in our community so that they can get more things for their families, plus we added this year stocking stuffers,” said Issac Morford, Director of the Community Partnership, Keystone Heights Junior Senior High School.
This provides parents with an opportunity to discreetly purchase gifts for their children, from babies to 18-year-olds, within a limited budget.
The selection includes bikes, toys, and this year, a bonus of stocking stuffers. While families are limited to 3 to 5 gifts, the stocking stuffers offer a way to include a few extra surprises for their children.
“I am one of the shopper assistants to help people, haul their gifts, and just help them find things that they need and be an encouragement, spread some joy,” said Anne Conner, a Community Partner Helper.
Each year, at the beginning of November, community partners release a list of items they are seeking and request donations during that period.
Any gifts that parents do not collect for their children at the event will be donated to the Claus Mission for the Kiwanis Club. This initiative helps provide gifts to families in need in the surrounding community.
“We are so proud of our community that we come together and do this for our own community and take care of one another in the way that we do,” said Morford.
