ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ)- Shopko Hall in Green Bay has been transformed to a toy store for families in need.
“If you take your own Christmas and how your children react, I get to take that by 1,800 today” said Nan Pahl of the Salvation Army.
One by one, families line up to get assistance from a volunteer shopper, whose goal is to help parents pick out items to make their child’s Christmas wish come true.
Parents who otherwise would not be able to afford christmas gifts, are amazed at the selection.
“There is so much to pick from and stuff that you would never imagine to find. They make it possible for you as a parent to actually find those items” said one mother.
Pahl explains to make this day happen, it takes generosity from the community, and volunteer support, both of which they received plenty of this year.
“We use about 800 volunteer hours to meet all of the needs of our families.”
Each family given the chance to pick out two toys per child, a stuffed animal, family game, stocking stuffers and food.
Pahl says one of the neatest things of the whole experience is that she has seen their efforts to help those in need go full circle
“They come back as donors, as shoppers and as volunteers after they get back on their feet. We have seen that a lot.”
One of the volunteer shoppers Carrie said she pulled her daughter out of school for the morning so that she could see how tough Christmas can be for some.
“I brought her along so she see that no everybody has the same type of Christmas as she does, but also to see how happy these people are to get what the community has given.”
Her daughter even took time to help one father who was shopping for his 11-year old daughter.
Shopping continues today. Many volunteers helped families pick out two toys per child, plus books, winter attire, stocking stuffers, a stuffed animal and a family board game.
