Wolf Garden brings back ‘Kids Shop Free’ event to spread holiday cheer in the Battlefords

“We thought with all this stuff coming in all the time, how can we use it in a different way. There are some kids who can’t afford it or don’t have the ability to go shopping,” said Michele Rogers.

The turnout for last year’s Kids Shop Free event was better than the market expected – bringing in roughly 50 children.

“It makes us feel good to give and it makes the kids feel good to give as well. We just always want to make sure that everybody has that gift. It’s just nice to see that joy in their faces,” she said.

Anyone under the age of 18 can participate in the event and pick out one gift. Those chosen presents will then be wrapped by volunteers so they are ready to go home and be placed under the tree.

Christmas at Wolf Garden Open Market. (AlyssaRudolph/battlefordsNOW)

While the event turns gift giving into an inclusive experience for kids, Rogers said market volunteers hope others will consider ways to show compassion in the community as well.

“Everybody’s struggling, everybody’s got challenges this time of year. Not everybody gets to be with a someone special, or with their families – whether they have them or they don’t have them,” she said.

The volunteers are encouraging people to go out and help someone in need this holiday season, whether that be through donating or even something as simple as shovelling someone’s driveway.

“Why not give somebody an extra smile? It might be the only one they received that day.”

The market will continue to collect donations for the event, including wrapping paper, bows, tape and suitable new items until Dec. 20.

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alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com

by Alyssa Rudolph

Wolf Garden brings back ‘Kids Shop Free’ event to spread holiday cheer in the Battlefords

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