Young shoppers delight in annual Christmas event

Published 9:09 am Friday, December 24, 2021

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A little one is thinking about a gift at the Christmas Shop at the Salvo Fire House. The third annual event was held Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy photo

The Salvo Fire House was transformed into a Christmas Shop for children, who shopped for presents for family members. The presents were donated or purchased using donations. The selected presents were free. The Fair Haven United Methodist Church sponsored this third annual Christmas Shop. Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy photo

Children find time and a place to enjoy snowcones at the Christmas Shop. Created just for children to select free gifts for family members, the Christmas Shop was held at the Salvo Fire House and sponsored by Fair Haven United Methodist Church. Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy photo

Fresh popcorn and snow cones with many favors available were served up by, from left, Larry Wright, Dave Smith and Meredith Hawkins. Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy photo

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A Christmas Shop for children was brimming the toys and items for young shoppers.

The third annual program for children to shop for gifts for each family member is sponsored by Fair Haven United Methodist Church in Rodanthe.

What could have been bedlam was not. The shopping spree was organized and staffed by smiling volunteers. Children and parents arrived at scheduled times.

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Upon entering the Salvo Fire House, children had a visit with Santa and a volunteer who created a gift list.

Volunteer adult shoppers ushered children around tables loaded with donated items to find the right present. A sticky note was attached to each present indicating the family member. The gifts were delivered to tables where more volunteers wrapped presents and attached To and From cards.

The gifts were donated or purchased with monetary donations. One business provided five cases of snow globes.

The welcoming scent of fresh popcorn wafted through the room. While children waited for wrapped presents, popcorn and snow cones with many flavors available were served up by Larry Wright, Dave Smith and Meredith Hawkins.

For the annual event, parents signed up for 15-minute increments on Saturday, December 18 from 9 a.m. to noon. Five attendees were allowed per slot and those slots filled up quickly.

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