For the ninth year, City of Chestermere Council Chambers will be transformed into the Kids’ Holiday Market for one day only. Children ages four to 13 will be able to shop at the market Dec. 15, to purchase Christmas gifts for their family members. “We get donations from the community of gently-loved or new items that can be given to kids’ parents, grandparents or siblings,” said Danielle Fermin, senior co-ordinator with the City of Chestermere’s Social Planning and Development department. “They can be sold for a $5 value, [and] each $5 that is spent at the holiday store goes back to a program called Christmas with Dignity.” The Christmas with Dignity program provides basic-needs funding to individuals in the community throughout the year, she added. “This fund has helped families with their back-to-school supplies if they’re not able to afford them. We’ve assisted families with getting their power turned back on or keeping it on,” Fermin said. “They go through a needs and intake assessment, looking at the presenting issues and the needs in the family, and the financial situation is also taken into consideration.” Pre-registration for the Kids’ Holiday Market is required, and spots are already full; however, Fermin said, a period of open shopping from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. is being added to allow kids who weren’t able to pre-register to drop in. “When [the kids] are waiting in line, they’re making their list with their parents – making sure they know who to pick out presents for and brainstorming ideas of what they’re going to be picking out,” she said. “Then they get matched up, before they go into the store, with an elf. We have volunteer [elves] helping us that day.” The elves take the kids through the market, allowing them to pick out gifts before heading into a wrapping area. The kids wrap the presents with the assistance of their elf, and are then reunited with their parents. “We try to encourage them to keep [what they purchased] a secret, but some of them are quite excited,” Fermin said. There are other events taking place at the same time in the adjacent Chestermere Library for all the family to enjoy, she added. “We have family portraits, where families can take their pictures with Santa for a $10 minimum donation,” she said. “There’s a scavenger hunt in the library, as well as crafts. We also will be having musical performances in the main foyer and a 50/50 draw that’s being led by our local Rotary Club.” Proceeds from the pictures with Santa and the 50/50 draw also go to the Christmas with Dignity fund, according to Fermin. Last year’s event raised approximately $5,000. All the other activities are free for people to enjoy. “We have 25 kids that will be sponsored, from our Christmas Hamper program families, that will be going through the Kids’ Holiday Store,” she said. “All of their fees for the day will be waived, including family portraits.” The Kids’ Holiday Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Dec. 15, in Council Chambers.
