MIDDLETOWN >> It”s that time of year again. The time to be thankful, appreciate loved ones and spread a little Christmas spirit, especially to those in need. Fortunately, there”s an abundance of holiday toy and clothing drives, charity fundraisers and an all around generous spirit that always presents itself as everyone gears up for the end of December.
Lorri MacDonald, owner of Funtopia in Middletown, is one such individual who believes in the act of giving, particularly to those less fortunate. This holiday season, she”s setting up a giving tree at her store, where community members can go in to purchase toys for children in need of a little extra this Christmas.
“I have been incredibly blessed and I think it”s important to share that,” said MacDonald.
MacDonald acquired Funtopia three years ago, and has set up a giving tree every year since. It”s been so successful in the past that”s she”s had to up the ante this year. “In the past I”ve run out of gifts so this year I”m going big,” she said. “This is a lot more families that I”m serving and kids that I”m serving.”
MacDonald doesn”t yet know the exact number of children who will be putting their gift requests on the tree, since the kids are coming into the store later this week to make their lists, but she was given the names of 25 families by Wendy Gattoni of Healthy Start. Many of the families have more than one child, so MacDonald is sure to get a good quantity of gift requests.
MacDonald asked for Gattoni”s help in selecting the kids who would create wish lists for the giving tree because she was the ideal person to help MacDonald find some families in need. Through Healthy Start, Gattoni is stationed at some elementary schools in the Middletown district, including Cobb Elementary, Minnie Cannon and Coyote Valley. As a result, she knows a good number of families in the area. MacDonald gave her a certain number of wishes she would be able to fulfill and Gattoni selected families for the giving tree based on need.
While MacDonald is in charge of the project, Gattoni is happy to be helping with a good cause. “I”m collaborating with her to help her connect with the families,” she said. “I”m just really glad that she”s able to do this for the kids.”
Each child asks for about five toys, and to ensure that everyone receives the same amount of gifts, Macdonald places one ornament tag per toy on the tree in waves. She”ll put up the first thing on each kid”s wish list and once those are all sold, up go the second item on each list. She”ll do this until everything is sold.
The toys all vary in price, but MacDonald tells the kids to try and keep items under $20, so that everything is affordable. Some items children often ask for are baby dolls, play packs of cars, games and dress-up clothing and accessories.
MacDonald decided to do a giving tree as opposed to a toy drive because she knows that kids like to pick out their own gifts. “I wanted the kids to be able to come inside the store and write what they wanted,” she said.
The kid”s wishes will be going up on the tree starting Dec. 6 and will be available for purchase until Dec. 22, when the families will be able to pick up their wrapped gifts. Each gift from the tree is 25 percent off and includes free wrapping. Visit Funtopia at 21208 Calistoga Street in Middletown to purchase a gift from the giving tree.
“We gotta take care of each other, help each other out,” said MacDonald. “This is just another way to give back.”
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
