LAC LA BICHE - Walking into The Perfect Gift Store is like stepping into a winter wonderland. And that’s just the feeling the people behind the community-focused, seasonal pop-up store were going for.
There are Christmas trees everywhere you look, stuffed animals and toys of every variety lining the walls of the little downtown Lac La Biche shop. The stock, the staff, and the Christmas spirit of giving is almost all ready for the first week of December when community members can come in and select children’s toys — free of charge.
Last Christmas season was the first time New Life Victory Fellowship had organized the gift shop, and Pastor Angie Werk and Pastor Darren Werk are looking forward to having it run again and being able to give struggling parents an easy, and enjoyable shopping experience. The purpose of the store is to be able to provide gifts to families who may not be able to afford presents for their children this year. Parents who register will be able to come into the The Perfect Gift Store and personally pick out brand new toys for each of their children and have them gift-wrapped.
Privacy and consideration for COVID-19 precautions are built in to this year's initiative.
“We don’t want families to have the guilt of, ‘Do we pay rent or do we buy presents for our children?’ We want The Perfect Gift Store to be a special experience for parents, so when they come in, that time belongs to them,” said Darren. “They have the store to themselves, we give them hot chocolate or coffee, cookies, we sit and talk with them. If we can do something to restore hope — which is one thing our community needs right now — then we will do that.”
Everything available has been donated by local organizations, businesses and individuals, along with items donated from the Santa’s Anonymous organization in Edmonton. Everything on offer is rated within a five-star system; smaller toys are one and two stars, and larger, more expensive items are four and five stars. People coming to the store are allowed any combination that totals five stars.
Last Christmas, for the store’s first appearance, 224 children were able to get presents thanks to the donations. Angie Werk emphasizes the importance of family and giving back to the community during difficult times.
“We’re parents as well, and just thinking about when life is tough and you don’t think you can get gifts for your children, in the heart of a parent, it hurts,” said Angie. “So, when we’ve how The Perfect Gift Store worked here last year, it helped to restore the family, and give hope to the parents.”
Register for toy program
Those who want to register for the Perfect Gift Store program, must register through the New Life Victory Fellowship website before Nov. 30.
Donations still welcome
The Perfect Gift Store is still accepting toy donations at their drop off locations, and cash donations through the New Life Victory Fellowship website. To donate new toys to The Perfect Gift Store, visit one of their drop off locations at Fields, Value Drug Mart, From Scratch Cafe, IGA, Smiley’s or at the church.
