Event helps children spread Christmas cheer

By Cliff Sain

Threats of winter weather Saturday did not happen which allowed a sort of winter wonderland of Christmas shopping for some area children.

Junior Auxiliary of Taney County hosted an annual Santa’s Gift House on Saturday at the Branson United Methodist Church in Branson. There, children, who otherwise would not be able to, could shop for presents for their family. “We are here to bring Christmas cheer to the homes of Taney County children, to let them shop for their loved one,” said even co-chair Sheryl Schiller.

At the event, multitudes of hand-crafted items were laid out on tables. Each child was able to shop with the assistance of a Junior Auxiliary volunteer to pick out gifts to give. Each child was able to pick out four gifts at 50 cents each. The gifts were then wrapped by a Junior Auxiliary volunteer.

More than 200 area children were able to shop for gifts on Saturday. On Wednesday, more than 100 students from Bradleyville and Mark Twain school districts were also going to have a chance to shop for their loved ones.

The children also had a chance to visit with Santa Claus and receive a book provided by Junior Auxiliary.

The gifts were handcrafted by members of Junior Auxiliary and their friends and family so that these children have meaningful gifts to give to others.

Santa’s Gift House is one of many service projects that Junior Auxiliary of Taney County members provide to the community. Money for these projects is raised through various fundraising projects, including an annual trivia challenge.

Photos attached were taken by Cliff Sain:

Front page: Junior Auxiliary of Taney County member Marcia VanderLaan helps Marlee and Desirae Walker, ages 6 and 2, shop for gifts at Santa’s Gift House on Saturday.

Junior Auxiliary member Sharla Mooney assists Liam Craft with his Christmas shopping.

Carolyna Taul places a gift she has chosen into a basket held by Junior Auxiliary member Bobbbie Wydeen.

Junior Auxiliary member Tammy Bellis wraps gifts.

Published: Branson Tri-Lakes News, Wednesday, December 12, 2018