Staff Report

The Children’s Holiday Shoppe, which supports the MotherHouse Crisis Nursery program of Children’s Home + Aid, has adjusted shopping days to help families with busy holiday schedules. Since the beginning of the event, the shop has only been open on weekends. In order to meet the schedules of the children and their families, the event now offers Tuesday and Thursday hours of operation from 3 to 7 p.m. Thanks to all the volunteers from area high schools, to board members and friends of Children’s Home + Aid; this event wouldn’t happen without them.

“We are grateful to Sidcor Development for once again donating storefront space to this event,” said MotherHouse Crisis Nursery supervisor Robin Carlson Goethe. “The MarketPlace located in the 5800 block of East State Street is the same mall that held the event last year,” she added. “This year the location has moved around the corner, next to Subway on the Mulford Road side of the mall. It is ideal for the shop, as there is a great traffic count and visibility.”

The Children’s Holiday Shoppe is a well-recognized event in the community with more than 1,000 children who attend and purchase gifts for their parents, relatives, siblings and friends. Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 27 and running every Tuesday and Thursday from 3 until 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., the last day to shop is Saturday, Dec. 15. The Holiday Shoppe gives children an opportunity to shop for Christmas without their parents being present. This builds their feelings of self-confidence and independence.

The way it works is, parents prepare a shopping list when they arrive and give the children a dollar amount to spend. Items are affordably priced from $1 to $6. Volunteers (or elves) escort the children and help them pick items for individuals on the children’s lists to ensure that they stay within budget and each person receives a gift. They then wrap, tag and pay for their gifts. The children then return to their parents with bundles of surprises.

Several businesses have come together to partner for the event, helping to secure merchandise to be sold in the store, hauling, decorating, donating carpeting and provide financial partnerships. Partners include: Two Men and a Truck, Swanson Floor Coverings, U.S. Cellular, UPS and financial Partner FDIII PowerSports. “

“This year’s goal is to raise $13,000 for MotherHouse Crisis Nursery. We are off to a great start with its fund-raising efforts with BMO Harris Bank, Trickie Enterprises, and Sidcor Realtors as major sponsors,” said Goethe.

MotherHouse Crisis Nursery.provides free childcare, resource referrals, parenting classes and in-home visits for families experiencing a crisis. Services are available 24/7 for children newborn to age 7. While children are in the care of the nursery, they receive hot meals, a clean, warm bed, specialized attention, clothing and a bath if necessary. A crisis may include being homeless, a medical emergency, domestic violence, home flooding or fire, or parental stress.

Children’s Home + Aid is a leading child and family service agency in Illinois. Each year, it protects, educates and counsels more than 40,000 children, youth and families to improve their lives.

Since 1883, Children’s Home + Aid has been a compassionate advocate helping to shape public policy in child welfare, early childhood and juvenile justice. Children’s Home + Aid is recognized for establishing best practices and achieving outstanding results through its programs and services that focus on child abuse prevention, healthy child development and strengthening families.

From the Nov. 21-27, 2012, issue