December 9, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
Children experienced the thrill of holiday giving during Saturday’s 5th annual Regifting Event.
Held at the county complex, kids ages 5 to 11 took advantage of the opportunity to shop for their parents at no cost. The gifts were then wrapped, tagged, and prepared for Christmas giving.
Donations are collected throughout the year for this event so that those who can’t afford to buy gifts can still share in the joy of giving by regifting something from the donations.
“We let kids come in and shop for their parents or caregivers. It’s not income based. It’s for anybody. They shop for free, wrap the presents, and fill out the card,” said Kim Walker, who organizes the annual event.
The children are then asked to prepare a blessing bag to be given to others.
“This year we made blessing bags for the homeless ministry called Compassionate Hands”. The bags included things like a blanket, socks, cup, toothbrush, and a toy. In the past we have done it for emergency foster care, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, residents at NHC, and the homeless shelter,” said Walker.
For their good deeds each of the children get to take home a goodie bag.
Walker said the hope is the children take home more than that. “We’re trying to share God’s love with kids to plant a seed so that no matter how old they are they always remember to help somebody else”.
The kids and other volunteers also decorated a quilt square. “After they decorate the quilt squares we put them together and donate the quilt to somebody who needs a blessing in the community,” said Walker.