A record-breaking year for Millarville Christmas crafters is good news for student lunch programs in the Foothills.
Patty Webb started the Kids Only Shoppe at the Millarville Christmas Market on a small scale nine years ago, but thanks to an ever-increasing army of volunteers that now numbers 60, the initiative has grown significantly over the years.
How big has it become? Well, crafters made a whopping 6,000 items this year to sell exclusively to youngsters during the popular market last month.
“It started out very small and gradually grew from there and it's just been awesome,” said Webb. “Everybody just feels so good about how it all happens and all the stories that you get from the kids.”
From Christmas ornaments to centrepieces to scarves, crafters create all manner of hand-made goods that are sold exclusively to those ages five to 12 at the Kids Only Shoppe. All items are $15 or less, although Webb said the true value is often double that amount.
She said the kids are shopping for everyone from parents and grandparents to teachers and siblings, so there’s a wide range of gifts from which to choose. Webb said parents fill out a form outlining how much can be spent and who they're buying for, and then the kids are paired with shopper helpers to make their purchases.
The gifts are then wrapped and tagged, ready to go under the tree.
“It really is a great feeling when you see the kids come out with their arms loaded with parcels and trying to keep it all a secret,” Webb said. “They’re so excited about what they just did and the parents are equally excited. Everybody seems to go home happy.”
Revenue generated by the Kids Only Shoppe has been donated to the lunch programs at Longview, C. Ian McLaren, Oilfields, Turner Valley, Millarville and Red Deer Lake schools. Last year, each school received $1,000, but thanks to record sales last month, this year’s donation is $1,750.
The initiative has also expanded to include the school lunch program run out of Okotoks United Church, which also received $1,750.
“We really feel passionate about the lunch programs, because they help everybody. I just feel like it's a place where we can touch all the kids,” said Webb.
She said crafters are already gearing up for next year as it takes a full 12 months to create that many gifts, adding that volunteers are also needed to help with pricing, packaging and other tasks.
Once kids are too old to shop at the Kids Only Shoppe, Webb said she encourages them to return in a volunteer capacity as shopper helpers.
She said anyone interested in volunteering can call her at 403-990-8297.
