Just some of the many volunteers who helped make the 12th annual Kids Shopping Day another rousing success. More than 175 children participated in the event this year which was held last Saturday at Gladbrook’s Peace Church. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEANNE PAUSTIAN

GLADBROOK – The 12th annual Kids Shopping Day held last Saturday, Dec. 14, was one to remember. The weather was very icy but all in all it was a highly successful day with shoppers lined up and ready to make out their shopping list well before noon. (Editor’s note: The event was delayed from a 9 a.m. to noon start time due to the ice storm.) We are just amazed at how the people in our community support KSD year after year. It has now become a Gladbrook Christmas tradition.

The Gladbrook American Legion Auxiliary Children & Youth Committee chaired the project with help from Gladbrook area churches, organizations, and individuals. Once again with thousands of items donated by the community, we created an opportunity for our area children to “shop” all by themselves and without any exchange of money.

Approximately 175 children diligently looked over the many items searching for the perfect gift to give to 8-10 family members. As you may have guessed, there were a lot of toys, Hawk and Cyclone items, fishing, hunting and golf, and beautiful gift baskets. The children came from all around the Gladbrook-Reinbeck and GMG area. One mother told us that the event was all her children talked about all year.

Parents patiently waited for their children in the sanctuary of the church. They enjoyed listening to Christmas carols played by June Bessman and viewing the beautiful decorations.

Volunteers helped the younger children shop. Many of the children were all smiles as they knew they had picked out the perfect gift for their moms, dads, brothers, sisters, etc. Other volunteers wrapped their presents, and each tag stated “Jesus Loves You.” When the shoppers left their “treasures” were ready to be put under the tree.

Area children ‘shop’ for gifts for their family members during the 12th annual Kids Shopping Day held Saturday, Dec. 14, at Peace Church in Gladbrook. Some of the younger children pictured were receiving help with their lists from volunteers. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEANNE PAUSTIAN

Each shopper visited the “People of Bethlehem” – Rose Russell, Lisa Koester, Rev. Gideon Gallo, Terri Lamb, and Becky Fish – to receive a Christmas card and a Nativity ornament as their gift. Tired and happy kids left for home with a large bag of gifts for loved ones in their hands, plus a seed containing the awareness of our loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in their souls.

An abundance of our good Gladbrook-Lincoln folks and others contributed in countless ways to this year’s KSD. Individuals, our local churches, and organizations worked together beautifully to serve the children and families in our area.

A very special thank you to everyone that donated items or gave monetary donations for the Christmas Store; the ladies that made the gift tags, the guys that helped get the church ready, the many volunteers that helped set up the store, 80 plus people that helped on shopping day, and the guys that came back to put the church back to normal. The sparkle in the children’s eyes told us they appreciated everything. We needed each and every one of you in order to pull everything together. THANKS so much!

Many of the items that were left were boxed up and taken to Westbrook Acres, so their residents could shop for their loved ones. Baby toys were given to Crayon Corner Learning Center.

Kids’ Shopping Day offers our young folks an opportunity to experience the true spirit of Christmas, and you would be surprised how many letters and calls we receive from parents and grandparents telling us how happy and excited their children were when the gifts they selected were opened. Our kids have the opportunity to encounter… the JOY of thinking beyond self, the JOY of working to choose a gift that will make another happy, handing that gift to their loved one, and then enJOY the loving response of the recipient.

The ‘People of Bethlehem’ pictured on Saturday, Dec. 14, including (from left) Terri Lamb, Rev. Giddeon Gallo, Lisa Koester, and Rose Russell. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEANNE PAUSTIAN

The children, workers, and families all give and receive much joy at our community-supported “Kids’ Shopping Day.” Thank you for making it happen!

Volunteers hauling in tables and presents including (front row, l-r) Jim Gethmann, Larry Pieper, Rev. John Granchie, Grant Strobehn, and Dennis Haack; (back row, l-r) Jim Osborn, Dave Koester, Steve Koester, Paul Koester, Jack Sass, Phil Koester, Terry Schmitz, and Darrell Paustian. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEANNE PAUSTIAN

Elf, Joan Surber, decorated the elevator. She is pictured with Kinley Miller. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEANNE PAUSTIAN

Cathy Gethmann was in charge of the wrapping stations. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEANNE PAUSTIAN

The kitchen gift wrappers (from left): Susan Strohbehn, Jennifer Smith, Jane Sass, Dave Koester, and Marcia Koester. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEANNE PAUSTIAN

Volunteers who helped make the 12th annual Kids Shopping Day another rousing success this year pictured in the kitchen at Peace Church in Gladbrook. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEANNE PAUSTIAN

Volunteers who helped make the 12th annual Kids Shopping Day another rousing success this year pictured in the kitchen at Peace Church in Gladbrook. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEANNE PAUSTIAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEANNE PAUSTIAN