Habitat celebrates spirit of giving

'Twas a fortnight before Christmas and at the Habitat store some magic was happening behind their closed doors. Nineteen children were rapt and each carried a list, in search of the thing for their mommy and sis.

There was Santa and his helpers, who blue aprons donned, and the Sugar Plum Fairy with wings and a wand. And as music rang out 'bout a babe in a manger, gifts were wrapped, wishes granted, by the kindness of strangers.

A group of lucky kids were invited to the Sisters Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store for a high-energy one-hour Christmas shopping spree last week. Many Habitat workers consider this event the highlight of the year. It was over in a festive flurry. The kids each worked their way down a list of family members, gift ideas and sizes; they were excited yet highly focused.

"It's organized chaos," said Program Manager Marie Clasen. "To me it really signifies the beginning of the Christmas season."

It's been a tradition for 11 years running: elementary-school-aged students, among them the children of Habitat homeowners and families who are experiencing tough times, are given a certain amount of play money to "spend" on items of their choosing. The doors are closed; children and volunteers have the whole store to themselves.

Volunteers like Kris Rerat, a former preschool teacher, helped to guide the young shoppers around the store but allowed them to make their own selections.

"I was really happy to help. It's very heartwarming," said Rerat. "What struck me was how generous they were."

Next, kids were assisted in wrapping their loot and filling out gift tags.

"That's when the real magic happens," said Clasen.

Santa managed to squeeze the event into his busy schedule, and volunteer Robin Tawney was seen flitting about dressed as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tanya Nason, a Habitat homeowner since 2002, appreciates that all three of her kids have had a chance to participate over the past nine years. Two of them are now too old to qualify, but Sydney, 9, wouldn't have missed it for the

world.

"Sydney really digs it," said Nason. "She likes to get us random gifts like snowman earrings or an ornament for the tree. She loves it because it gives her the choice and a little bit of independence."

Fourth-grader Sydney agreed, saying, "It's really fun shopping for my parents, having fake money to spend." But the best part, according to Sydney, is anticipating Christmas morning when her family will open the gifts that she so carefully selected. "I always say 'Happy Birthday God' right when I wake up, then I go into my parents room. Last year my dad had to work for hours on Christmas morning. So we went to FivePine to help him shovel snow, so he could come home and open presents."

After cookies and juice and a few words with Santa Claus, Sydney and the other children left for home, each loaded down with a large bag filled with their bounty.

'Twas a fortnight before Christmas, snow on the ground. Nineteen kids headed home - hearts warm, treasure found.

Habitat for Humanity made homeownership possible for two more Sisters families like the Nasons this year, and two more homes are in the planning process. In celebration, they continued the year-end festivities by serving up a community Christmas party on Sunday, where 21 children received presents from Santa.

Applications for homes are now being accepted. Call Marie Clasen at 541-549-1193 for more information.