SUNDRE – Local children will get a chance to find gifts for their family in one convenient location just in time for Christmas after all.
When the Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society announced it would be unable to proceed with this year’s Magic of Christmas Sale for kids that had been scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Sundre Community Centre, a local parent and longtime resident decided to see about the possibility of lining up alternative arrangements.
Unaffiliated with any organizations, Christel Shropshall, who said she’s been a part of the community for 17 years, called up Sarah Kennedy, a former coordinator of the Sundre Santas program run through GNP who once upon a time had started the Magic of Christmas Sale.
Despite something of a last-minute scramble to make plans in time for this coming Saturday, Dec. 23, the pair were not only able to secure a venue but also enough items. Kennedy said she was confident the community could pull something together.
“Sundre doesn’t cancel Christmas,” she said.
When Michelle Engleman, the exalted ruler of the Sundre Elks Lodge No. 338 was contacted by Kennedy about the possibility of using their hall, Engleman said it was just a matter of making sure the venue hadn’t already been booked. As it was available, she was all-too-happy to commit the space for the event.
Kennedy said she was also able to obtain permission to use the space in the former seniors lodge at Sundre Care Centre at 124 1st NW for receiving as well as sorting hundreds of donated items, which included plenty of rolls of wrapping paper and even some cash contributions to buy some items.
“It just needed a sprinkle of Christmas magic,” said Kennedy.
Although there won’t be a strictly enforced limit on the number of gift items a child can grab at no cost, she said the emphasis will be on encouraging them to pick up something only for their immediate family.
“We need the kids to come out; we’re doing this for the children,” she said, adding elves will be on-hand to wrap everything up.
Donations ideally should be dropped off at the sorting centre by Thursday to grant enough time to set everything up at the Elks hall, but Friday is the absolute cutoff to make contributions, said Kennedy.
As of the time when she spoke with the Albertan on Monday, Dec. 18, Kennedy said there were already enough donations to proceed with the market, which is scheduled to go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“It’s 100 per cent going ahead,” she said.
“I just feel like it’s a gift in itself just to see the community rise for everybody,” said Shropshall. “People have been so generous.”
Visit the Children’s Christmas Market page on social media for more.
