Thursday, November 16, 2006

A place for children to Christmas shop

by Sara Peterson-Davis

With limited budgets, no transportation and only a slim chance of keeping their purchases a secret, Christmas shopping isn’t always easy for kids.

The Lambda Tau Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi understands all that and is offering area kids a holiday shopping alternative to fit their budgets and their unique shopping needs.

The sorority’s annual Holiday Gift Shop will be open Friday, Dec. 8, at the Ozawkie Township Building from 4 to 8 p.m. Kids can browse through a wide range of gift options all priced under $10, with most priced between $3 and $7.

“We thought this would be a good service for kids in Jefferson County,” said Lambda Tau Chapter President Beni Goebel.

This is the seventh year for the holiday store and the second year sorority members have shopped for the store’s inventory themselves.

“We have just tried to find stuff they would want to buy and we’ve bought about five items of each thing,” said Michelle Allen, who co-chaired the event with fellow Lambda Tau member Patsy Harper.

Allen and Harper spent the past year scouring holiday sales and clearance shelves at better retailers throughout Topeka, Lawrence and Kansas City to find quality merchandise that kids will enjoy giving to their parents and family members. Items include T-shirts, bath and body products, tools, jewelry, watches, picture frames, toys, aftershave, figurines, sports fan memorabilia and other items.

“The prices we have on things are comparable or cheaper compared to stores in towns around the area,” said Harper.

At the holiday shop kids can shop with a family member, on their own or get assistance from a shopper’s helper, who can help them select gifts that fit their list and budget. Once they’ve made their purchases, the kids can take advantage of the shop’s free custom wrap or do the wrapping themselves before they leave for home.

“It’s fun to see the kids shop and be able to keep it a secret,” Allen said.

Meanwhile, parents can watch a movie while they wait for their little shoppers to make their selections or do a little shopping themselves.

“I have had parents say ‘Let me know when it is because I got some great stuff last year,’ ” Harper said.

Any profits from this year’s holiday shop will go to buy inventory for next year’s shop. The Holiday Gift Shop is just one of Lambda Tau’s service projects. The sorority also sponsors the annual Santa Visits Ozawkie event at the Ozawkie Township Hall.

This year’s visit will be Saturday, Dec. 9, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The sorority also supports various projects in the Jefferson West School District and John Dewey Learning Academy at Lecompton, as well as the Jefferson County Hospice and the Meriden Public Library.

Along with lending support to local organizations, Lambda Tau’s 13 members also gather for several social events throughout the year, including Halloween and Valentine parties and an annual slumber party weekend.

The group primarily raises its funds by working the gates at the McLouth Threshing Bee and its demolition derby and mud-a-thon.

About 60 kids turned out for last year’s holiday shopping event. The group hopes to have more at this year’s event. While the focus is on kids, organizers welcome anyone to the holiday shop who could benefit from its low prices and convenience.

“We’ve really done it for kids but really anyone who can’t get in to Topeka or anyone who is on a limited budget and would want to come shop is welcome,” Goebel said.