Charity event in need of new director

Kids’ Shopping, the perennial charity event put on by the First United Methodist Church, needs a new director.

This event, which is held each year during the first or second week of December, involves the collection of “gently used” items that are put on display for children to select from and give as gifts to their parents and/or grandparents.

For the past decade, Betty Petranek and Amanda Sharpes have served as co-directors for the event.

“It’s really fun to see the little kids,” Petranek said of her experience facilitating Kids’ Shopping.

Unfortunately, the church no longer has the space to host the event. According to Petranek, the rooms that have been used in the past are now being dedicated to Sunday school.

Petranek and Sharpes thought they had found, in Weston County Senior Services, an organization willing to take over. This turned out to be a misunderstanding, though. The center clarified that it has space, both to hold the event and store the donations beforehand, but does not have anyone able to take on the director’s role.

Petranek said she hopes that someone will step up to ensure that this worthwhile charity event continues to bring smiles to the faces of children in the community.

Whoever assumes the position will need lots of energy, Petranek said. He or she would need to advertise and ask for donations, get the rooms set up and seek out volunteers to help run the event. According to Petranek, the last responsibility is comparatively easy for a couple of reasons. High school organizations, such as Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Future Business Leaders of America and Future Farmers of America, have long been relied upon to provide help.

These volunteers help lead the children around the holiday shop and assist them in choosing gifts. They also wrap the presents for the children.

Petranek singled out the FCCLA sponsor, high school family and consumer science teacher Liana Scribner, as “one of our biggest supporters.” Petranek said that Scribner “has been with us many years and brings a lot of the FCCLA kids (to help).”

“Anyone who has had anything to do with (the event) has enjoyed it,” Petranek said of the volunteers and, presumably, the generous individual (or individuals) who decides to accept the mantle of Kids’ Shopping director.