Habitat opens doors to kids

The Sisters Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store was a scene of happy chaos on Monday afternoon as 20 preschool and elementary children completed their Christmas shopping.

In its 12th year, the annual Kids Shopping Day is a highlight for Habitat staff and volunteers.

"I love the event; it's my favorite one," said Shelly Stark, one of the volunteers. She was shopping with 5-year-old Emily, who was efficient in her choices and had time to find a Barbie and a book for herself.

The children are referred by Family Access Network and arrived at the store after school. They were greeted at the door by their personal shopper, a Habitat volunteer armed with a list of family members and sizes.

The pairs roamed around the store making selections, with much consideration and concentration on finding just the right gifts. They then settled in to wrap the gifts at various stations in the back rooms of the store. Cookies and juice were available for keeping up the shoppers' strength as they waited for Santa's arrival.

Some of the children were so focused on their wrapping tasks that they just gave Santa a shiny-eyed glance and then headed back to put the finishing touches of ribbons and bows on their packages. There was plenty of time for a hug and chat in the big Santa chair when all the gifts were safely wrapped and put in a bag to take home.

One bag took two of the boys to carry it to the front door. "I have four sisters and a mom and dad," said the happy shopper, as he headed back to the cookie table.