Christmas exchange spreads holiday cheer
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POLSON – Two-year-old Allyson Lamphere contently tried on a pair of shoes while another group of young girls scrambled through a waist-high pile of stuffed animals during the third annual Great Christmas Exchange at Linderman Elementary on Dec. 10. Attendees could pick out as many items as they want for free in exchange for donating a canned food item upon arrival. “We do this so all the kids can have Christmas presents, and the parents can too,” community member and coordinator Jolene Brackey said. “At least 200 people will come here today.”
“We’re giving away a crazy amount of stuff,” she added.
According to Brackey, she and a few others came up with the idea to hold the exchange a few years ago, so they decided to take action and make it a reality for the community. Community organizations Family Matters and Coalition for Kids also helped with the event.
Piles of stuffed animals, toys, electronics, games and clothing lined the walls and floor of the gym, offering a large selection to interested families and eager children. Once families chose what they wanted, volunteers helped wrap the presents.
According to Brackey, collection of the items began a week earlier, and this year people brought in the largest amount of donations in the history of the event. The donations were so many that a group of volunteers spent a whole day sorting the various items.
“We sorted it all out so that families can come in and take what they want,” Brackey said. “They can take home anything and everything.”
A turkey drawing was also offered, with the winner taking home a free bird.
All remaining items from the exchange will still find a happy home, as they will be donated to help struggling mothers at the organization Working Innovations.
Families who attended the event were encouraged to stock up on as many items as they want.
“This is definitely the biggest one we’ve had,” Brackey commented. “It gets bigger every year.”
