CHRISTMAS SHOPPE 2010
This holiday season, we at Hope are planning a wondrous community outreach event and we hope that everyone will help to make it happen.  This event is quickly becoming a tradition at Hope (it’s our 9^th year) and truly one of the most rewarding events you can become a part of.

What: A Children’s Christmas Shoppe where children, at 4-10, will be able to select Christmas presents for their families absolutely free.  (We had 351 kids last year!)  We are expecting and increase this year with the currently economic situation.  While other events may give a gift to a child, we provide them with the opportunity to experience the Joy of giving.  What an awesome way to kick off your holiday season this year.

Who: Families will be invited through Head Start, Hearts & Homes, Prevent Child Abuse, the Food Bank, Family Promise, Department of Family Services and other appropriate sources.

How: Children, aided by volunteers from Hope, will select up to five gifts.  These gifts will be donated by all of us as well as area businesses.  Think of any business you know who may be interested in donating (maybe your own?) to this worthy cause.  The activity area is turned into a shopping and wrapping center for all of the gifts.  Parents wait in the Fireside room.  Cookies are provided by our local girl scouts and enjoyed by all in the gathering space.

When: The Shoppe will be operating on Saturday, December 4, from 9 am – 1 pm at Hope Lutheran church, 2152 W. Graf St.  (just off of S. 19th Ave).

How Can I Help? 
Co-Chairs this year are Leslie Derham and ???????      Are you available to help Leslie?

We need everyone’s help to make this project work.

1. We need 2500+ new or unused gifts to offer the shoppers.  Items appropriate for moms, dads, grandparents, and/or siblings.  See suggested gift list for ideas.  Cash donations are always welcome.
2. As the day approaches, we will need people to help set-up and decorate the Activity area.  We will also need volunteers to help with flyers and other publicity.
3. If you are outgoing and like to talk to people, we can use help soliciting donations from businesses within the community.  We have flyers and letters available for anyone wishing to help with this effort.  See the bulletin board under the monitor in the gathering area.
4. On December 4, we’ll need help with shopping, wrapping and hosting duties.  Of course, we’ll also need a clean-up crew at the end of the day.  For those who work on the 5^th --- there are awesome homemade cookies provided by local Girl Scouts.

Suggested Gift List

Think like a 4-10 year old (or ask your kids what is cool).  Even though children might be shopping for mom or dad, they are attracted to bright, colorful, fun-looking items.  If they don’t know what it is, most likely they won’t choose it.  Also, they usually have siblings, including babies, for whom they are shopping.  Things that have been popular in the past include:  men’s small tools, any type of lotion/bath sets (you wouldn’t believe how many of these we go through), jewelry ($5 sets from K-mart are great), hot wheels, Barbies, play dough, balls & toys.

We DO NOT need any clothing, hats, mittens, scarves or stuffed animals.

If you aren’t sure what would be appropriate or don’t care to go shopping, we do accept Cash donations.  Each year some of the youth from Hope take these donations and go shopping as a service event.   You may mail cash donations to Hope  Lutheran Church, 2152 W. Graf St., Bozeman, MT  59718.  Be sure to  mark Christmas Choppe in the memo line.

This is an opportunity to take part in an incredible experience – don’t pass it up!