Kids shop for Christmas
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Talk Tillsonburg's second annual Children Shop for Christmas at Upper Deck had triple the number of children 'shopping' for mom and dad this year.
"It's been a very busy and wonderful day," said coordinator Catherine Ryan, just before the four-hour event concluded Saturday afternoon. "We had 86 kids today and we had about 25 last year. A lot of returnees from last year. It was a steady stream."
Children between the ages of 2-12 were invited to visit the gift tables escorted by youth volunteers from Danscene, who helped them pick out a free gift for mom and dad, which was then wrapped by Danscene volunteers.
"The Danscene kids were all fantastic again this year," said Ryan. "We had a wonderful day, I couldn't really ask for a better day."
Officially opening at 11 a.m., families started arriving five minutes early, and the volunteers were so busy they had to eat lunches while wrapping presents.
"That was incredible," Ryan smiled.
"It was a lot of fun learning what they like about Christmas," said Danscene's Lily Verberne, "and it was really nice being able to help them pick out presents for their families for the Christmas season.
"Last time we checked there was more than 40 (children)... and there was more after that," said Verberne, who also volunteered in 2015. "A lot more this year."
The Tillsonburg dance studio, currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, had collected donations for the event, made posters and helped decorate Upper Deck, then helped clean up afterwards.
"We do a lot as a group," said Verberne, noting it was an opportunity for the dancers to bond. "It really brings us together."
Even with increased visitors, Ryan said they had left over gifts.
"We could probably do 150 more," she nodded. "Mom-wise, we could do another 100 gifts just from the stuff left over. Mom gifts are easier to get. It's really hard to get men's gifts and that's why I did a lot of shopping for the men's stuff. People just have trouble buying stuff for men."
Men's gifts this year ranged from socks, mitts and photo frames to cowboy hats.
"Even digital stuff for phones," said Ryan. "And games, lots of games - card games, board games. Movies, mugs, just about anything that dad might like."
Gift cards were also available, she noted.
"Almost everything this year was new. We didn't have as many (individual) donations... I had a lot of drop-offs last year and I didn't have that this year. It was more from businesses this year."
Ryan thanked the following generous businesses - Metro, Sobeys, Walmart, The Anchor Shoppe, Domino's Pizza, Hue Salon, Sammy Krenshaw's, Beautiful You, Lux Salon, and Matteo's Pizza.
Ryan also thanked Talk Tillsonburg friends Melissa Justus, who helped greet families, and Jeremy Bakker and his sons, who donated money to pay for the venue and volunteered their time.
A table of baked goods near the entrance went over well, said Ryan.
"It was really welcoming when you walk in the door."
Santa Claus visited from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., visiting children, asking what they want for Christmas, and handing out candy canes.
"It was nice to have Santa here - a really nice touch. I already have ideas for next year."
Yes, she is already planning the 3rd annual Children Shop for Christmas, and has already accepted donations for the 2017 event.
"It will be here again next year, and bigger and better."
Similar to last year, Ryan said she is planning to do an online auction on Facebook to help raise funds for next year's Children Shop for Christmas, and the fast-approaching 4th Annual Talk Tillsonburg Scarf Bombing.
"Last year's auction raised between $600-$700, and I used $300 of that just today. I used money for last year's scarf bombing, and I'll be using money for the scarf bombing on January 14th. I've got the donations for that coming in already."
Toiletry articles will be donated to the Salvation Army Christmas hamper program.
"People liked the idea of an auction last year. Sometimes they even spent more than what the item was worth - they know where the money is going."