It is the season to shop until you drop, but to do that you must have the bucks, right? This is difficult enough for adults, but what about the children. They love to shop and give that special gift to friends and family, too.

A local church has given children in the community an opportunity to shop for everyone on their list with just a few dollars. Saturday is the sixth year Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church will open the “Kiddie Store” for youth, 3 to 12, to come and buy new and “gently used” items. The object is for each young shopper to pick out special presents and wrap each one extra special to put under the tree.

What an awesome project! The joy of seeing children’s eyes light up as they search the tables for just the right gift. The makeshift store is filled with love, and isn’t that what Christmas is all about – sharing the love. The focus of the store is to show the youngsters how it’s better to give than to receive, and with the help of volunteers, this is accomplished. The money raised from the store will go to the Richland County Food Bank, continuing the focus of giving.

There are just a few specifics to follow: Children shop by themselves (parents must wait in the foyer); come with an age-detailed list of those you want to buy for; no more than $20 should be brought; all lists will be filled, no matter if the child has enough money or not.

So parents, grandmas and grandpas pack up the children and head to the Kiddie Store Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s worth the trip.

Anyone wishing to donate items for the store or are willing to help by volunteering an hour or so to assist the shoppers, may contact the church, 433-7679.