Kids 'go shopping' for their families at the annual Giving Store

Over 400 children participated in the event which provides them an opportunity to give gifts instead of receiving them.

By Brent Woronoff
| 2:44 p.m. December 12, 2022

Volunteers at the annual Giving Store on Dec. 10 at the Flagler County Fairgrounds take kids on a shopping spree for their family members. Courtesy photo

Over 100 volunteers helped the Giving Store provide gifts for the family members of 427 participating children. Courtesy photo

Volunteers help children wrap their gifts in the wrapping area at Cattleman's Hall at the Flagler County Fairgrounds. Courtesy photo

Palm Coast Observer
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Over 100 volunteers helped 427 children "go shopping" on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Flagler Volunteer Services' annual Giving Store at the Flagler County Fairgrounds.

For more than 25 years during the holiday season, Flagler Volunteer Services and the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program have conducted the Giving Store, which provides Flagler County children in kindergarten through fifth grade an opportunity to give gifts instead of receiving them.

The children select and wrap gifts for all of the members of their household, from baby siblings to grandparents who may reside with them. They pick out a gift for everyone in their household except for themselves.

Volunteers purchased about 3,500 gifts this year with proceeds from semi-annual rummage sales and individual donations. Each child was accompanied by a volunteer to help select their gifts for family members. Other volunteers helped the children wrap their gifts.

To donate money or gifts for next year's Giving Store, call 386-597-2950 or email [email protected].