By Vanessa Tinsley,
Picture it! Kids everywhere, running around with smiles on their faces, and shopping lists full of the names of their loved ones. Kids are accompanied by elves who help them shop for gifts for their friends, teachers, family, etc. Santa walks around giving the kids gifts, candy canes and filling the halls with his jolly “Ho Ho Ho!”
An event like that happens in Frankfort every year. In fact, it has been a tradition for more than 20 years. For more than 20 years, the Franklin County Homemakers Association have made this event happen. Kids ages 13 and older, from all over Frankfort, volunteer to be elves who help children shop during the annual Holiday Store.
This year’s Children’s Holiday Store will be 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office, 101 Lakeview Court.
The elves are volunteers from groups such as local dance teams, BETA and National Honor Society, Boy Scouts, FCLA Club and others. The Children’s Holiday Store is open for children ages 4-12.
“Everything involved with the Children’s Holiday Store is positive,” Doris Bailey, Franklin County Homemakers Association president, said. “From the beginning, there’s wonderful fellowship getting together to work on our crafts. Then, setting up the store and watching the children choose the ideal gifts for their loved ones. And, finally, all of our profit from the store is returned to our community by our donations to various charities. It’s a win-win situation for all involved. The Children’s Holiday Store is our favorite event with our club.”
Bailey has been a member of the Homemakers for 45 years.
Each child waits their turn in a spacious great room, where they color, and may even get a glimpse of, or photo, with Santa himself. So, bring those Christmas lists! Once assigned an elf, the child takes their shopping list and heads downstairs to shop. Shopping lists have the names of people the child is shopping for.
The elf will keep track of how much money the child has to spend and inform the child of their balance throughout the experience. Gifts are then taken to other elves that wrap and name the presents. Children return to their adults giddy, with a smile and full of the holiday spirit.
“This is my favorite event by Homemakers,” Wilma Hippe, a 40-year member of the Homemakers, said. “Seeing those sweet smiling faces while the little ones shop makes all the hard work worthwhile. Crafting with friends is so much fun. We have a great group of ladies who love to craft. I look forward to this all year.”
The gifts are all homemade by the Homemakers members who work throughout the whole year to prepare for the event. Hours are spent on crocheting, painting and gluing. There is a lot of love put into the gifts. Gifts all range in price from 25 cents, to $5, making it a very affordable way to shop. This event is cash only. Smaller bills are preferred.
“I look forward to the holiday store every year, and watching all of the children be so excited about picking gifts out for their family,” Ina Munro, an 18-year member of the Homemakers, said. “It’s such a pleasure to be a part of this, and I enjoy working with my homemakers on our craft items for the kids.”
Gifts your child may shop for include door wreaths, personalized ornaments and picture frames, crocheted balls, snow globes and even dog treats.
“The Holiday Store is always the highlight of all crafting works Homemakers have done,” Wanda Atha, a 30-year member of the Homemakers, said. “It helps me get in the holiday spirit, especially when it snows on that Saturday.”
Denise Boebinger, a 17-year member of the Homemakers, said “the smiling faces of the kids when they find that special present for their mom, dad, other family members, or their teachers, make all of the hours spent working on crafts throughout the year worthwhile.
“I love seeing kids come back year after year and then see them graduate to the elf role.”
For more information, call 502-695-9035.
