EVERETT — Christmas House plans to open Thursday for families to do their holiday shopping at no cost.
The local nonprofit transformed the gym at the Everett Boys and Girls Club into a festive gift shop. Green and red paper streamers hang throughout the gym and decorated trees sit on tables piled high with toys for babies, children and teens.
This year, Christmas House expects to provide gifts to 8,500 kids from 3,000 low-income families.
The store is scheduled to be open Thursday through Dec. 17.
Christmas House volunteers hand out tickets to shoppers starting at 6:30 or 7 a.m. until one hour before closing time. The tickets are shoppers’ admission to Christmas House. About 200 tickets are given out during weekdays. On Saturdays, 300 may be handed out depending on the number of donations.
People with disabilities or health problems can schedule an appointment and avoid the wait by calling 425-338-2273.
In past years, families have lined up in the Boys and Girls Club parking lot. They waited all night for Christmas House to open. Parents wanted to ensure their children would have gifts on Christmas morning.
Gregg Milne, president of the Christmas House board of directors, said there is no need to worry. Families can stay home at night and out of the cold.
“No matter what day you come here, you’ll have the same opportunity to get the same gifts,” Milne said.
It does not matter if a parent shops on Dec. 1 or Dec. 17. Parents with a teen can still pick out a stocking stuffer; a small and large gift or clothing item; and a pair of gloves, a scarf or hat. Each family also can choose a book and a present from the family gift table.
Christmas House is still accepting donations. Milne said they are in need of books, as well as gifts and clothing for kids ages 9 through 18.
Shoppers are asked to bring documentation to prove their identity, the identity of a spouse or significant other living in the household, guardianship of each child and kids’ birth dates. Parents also will need to show they have a Snohomish County address and are at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. For examples of acceptable documentation, go to www.christmas-house.org/shop/
Caitlin Tompkins: 425-339-3192; ctompkins@heraldnet.com.
Christmas House
Hours of operation: Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.;
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: 2316 12th St., Everett
For more information, go to www.christmas-house.org/
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