Christmas Village lets youngest

shoppers cross gift items off their lists

Monday night’s Christmas Village was another huge success as the Clinton County Homemakers hosted the event.

Clinton County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences Christy Nuetzman said there were 75 total shoppers and more than 180 total participants for Monday night’s event.

The Christmas Village allows children to shop for their parents for Christmas. An opportunity most children don’t have without one or both parents present.

Children are taken by a volunteer and are able to pick from a large selection of crafts and other gifts collected by the Adult Homemakers.

Once the gift is selected, they are wrapped and the child gets to let who ever they buy for open a gift on Christmas that is a complete surprise.

Nuetzmans said there were around 27 teen and adult Homemakers who participated in the event and donated their time Monday night.

Also participating was 14 FBLA students and Coordinator Holly Claborn, cooperation from the 21st Centrury After School Program and members of the Albany Lions Club volunteered their time this year.

Anna Norris, event chairperson, said she was “Pleased with how smooth it went. Community participation was awesome. Thankful for all the different groups that helped out.”

Nutezman said the event went off without a hitch.

”One of our smoothest events yet. We had a lot of families who participated for the first time which is always exciting,” Nuetzman said. “Children really look forward to it each year and put a lot of thought into each gift purchased. It’s a special time for families.”

Nancy Mims, County Homemakers President, said she was very pleased with the event. “We had a really good turnout.”