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Huron Expositor, 2006-12-13, Page 32in The Huron Expositor • December 13, 2006 Page 32 News Nearly 200 kids participate pping Day in Seaforth Susan Rundertmark With close to 200 children buying out the place by noon on Saturday, the first ever St. Nick's Children's Christmas Shopping Day at St. Thomas Anglican Church was a "phenome- nal" success, says organizer Donna Walton, of Seaforth. "I am just so thrilled and we're newcomers to the com munity," says Walton. Originator of the idea first in Orillia in 1976 and then in Fort Erie, Walton says both events are still going strong and she `intends to continue the event in Seaforth next year. "There was more than enough for everyone and we got donations already for next year. The helpers had to do some coaching and cajoling to help the kids fig- ure out what they wanted but the children went out with a big smile on their faces," she says. In cooperation with the Parish of the Holy Spirit, which includes Anglican churches in Seaforth, Clinton and Mitchell, the shopping day for kids involves donated gifts, both handmade and donated by local businesses. A group of volunteers gathered to sew, knit, paint and put together gift packages and gifts were sold in a price range from five cents to $5 in the church hall as parents waited in the church. Walton says there were plenty of gifts for mothers, sisters, aunts and brothers but that next year more gifts for both men and pets will be needed. While traffic was a lit - John Walton photo Jackie Denham gives a helping hand to a group of children as they look for the perfect Christmas gifts for their friends and family during the St. Nick's Children's Shopping. Day at St. Thomas Anglican Church in Seaforth Dec. 9. tle slow at the start of the morning, the event packed by 10 a.m. "At 10 a.m., it was a ti rush - you couldn't move for was kids," says Donna's husband John. mad All proceeds will go s7N 7'kl k. towards a children's charity or towards children or youth events in Seaforth, Clinton or Mitchell. oliday Hou n addition to our regula hours we will be open on Wed. Dec. 20th until 8 pm Sun. Dec. 24th •0,5• 1 fmtv • WEIMINE!' wasis* 'f :