BIDDEFORD — It’s the season of giving, and those at the Second Congregational Church in Biddeford are hoping to spread the word with their annual Kids’ Shopping Event on Saturday, Dec. 10. 

The church is seeking volunteers for the event, held every December, to support the program, which gives children the opportunity to pick out gifts for the adults in their families free of charge. 
 
“As far as I know we are the only place where kids get to pick gifts for other family members, and we do not charge,” Rev. Catherine Anglea said Monday. “We have just had amazing response. We have kids as far as Acton come and do their shopping here in Biddeford.” 

This year’s event will feature only adult gifts, which Anglea hopes will help children learn the spirit of giving. 

“A lot of kids don’t learn the importance of giving until they’re old enough to buy a gift themselves,” she said, noting that many children are able to go shopping with their families if they have the funds. “A lot of kids don’t have that opportunity until they’re in their teens.” 

“Once a child is able to see the joy of giving somebody something, they learn that skill, and it’s something that helps them to learn what Christmas is,” Anglea continued. “It’s not just getting a gift but it’s also to give something to somebody.” 

Families will also be provided a free pancake breakfast as part of the event, during which Santa Claus is expected to make an appearance while families dine on pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. 

Anglea said the church is looking for volunteers to help support the event, primarily for helping children shop for presents. She said she’s hoping for a good number of high school- or college-aged students to volunteer, but adult volunteers are also encouraged to give their time. 

“We love to have college groups and high school groups that like to do community service join us,” Anglea said. “If adults want to volunteer during that day, we ask that they register with us by the middle of the week before so we can ensure background checks are all done.” 

Adult volunteers are asked to register up until Dec. 7. There are a number of volunteer training workshops held from now until Dec. 9, the day before the event. For registration information, and workshop dates, call 284-7898, or email kidschristmasshopping@gmail.com. 

The church is also seeking donations for presents — all of which are donated — which can be dropped off at the church or brought to workshops. Anglea said that, when considering what items to donate, people should consider what they would like to receive from a child themselves. 

At the workshops, volunteers will ready the church for the event by sorting donations, putting them into smaller packages and pre-wrapping presents for children under 5 years old, who will receive presents ready to give away. 

Anglea said she looks forward to the event every year, as do members of the church. 

“It’s such an exciting event. Everybody is exhausted, but full of christmas cheer at the end of the day,” she said. “Our church turns into total chaos for about three to four hours and then starts to slowly get back to normal.” 

But it’s the adults receiving the gifts, she said, who benefit the most. She said often times church programs support presents for kids, but the parents are left empty-handed during the holidays. 

“I’ve had people come and tell me how awesome it was because a lot of programs, if you’re in (a certain) economic status, presents are always available for the kids, but the adults don’t get anything,” she said. “To have a small gift from a child under the tree for them means the world.” 

The Second Congregational Church’s Kids’ Shopping Event will be held from 9 a.m to 1 p.m at the church, 19 Crescent St., Biddeford. The pancake breakfast will take place from 9-11:30 a.m. 

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.