Blog Post

2017 Annual Christmas Shop

  • By Kate Glen
  • 15 Jan, 2018
What better way to get kids in the holiday spirit than to provide a way for them to give back to their families? 
It doesn't take a lot to get kids revved up for Christmas, but, in some cases, exchanging gifts can be a struggle for families. Sure, children are big fans of receiving presents, but this Christmas Shop can show them just how fulfilling giving can be, and brings a special cheer to their loved ones on Christmas Day.

Christmas Shop history:
After discovering how many knick-knacks and other items people have accumulated that are never used, Carla Stidham started the Christmas Shop in 1996 with the express purpose of providing a way for members to Christmas shop for their families, and it’s grown leaps and bounds ever since, from 100 shoppers in 1996 to 527 in 2017!

All the items are totally FREE for the kids!
Stidham and her 5 committee shoppers shop all year round with their keen eye for bargains and encourage the community to donate to the cause, ensuring that, come the holiday season, members have an abundant selection of free, high quality gifts they can share with their loved ones.
A big thank you to our major donors: Kohl’s, Elder Beerman, and Warm Glow Candle!

How shopping works:

  1. The child checks in and makes a list of who they will be with on Christmas morning.
  2. A volunteer partners with the child to help them shop for the perfect gifts.
  3. Once the gifts have been selected, the child goes to the boxing station to receive a box or bag to carry the items.
  4. Volunteer wrappers wrap all the presents individually at the wrapping station.
  5. The child takes all the wrapped presents home!

Volunteers make it happen:
Thanks to the 240 volunteers from all over the community, over 2,500 gifts were distributed! By wrapping gifts the members chose, walking through the shop with the youth to aide in selecting gifts, boxing, setting up, cleaning up, taking inventory, and so much more, those 527 kids  got to experience the joy in giving on Christmas Day! We’re absolutely thrilled to host a group of such hard working, passionate people and an incredible event that brings families together for the holidays.

By Lynn Morrow 25 Mar, 2019
We were honored to recognize the exceptional people who have made great strides to help us with our mission, with a special, heartfelt highlight: the first recipient of the Stacey Steele Service & Devotion Award, staff member Douglas Dean.
By Kate Glen 09 Oct, 2018
Words really seem inadequate to express our gratitude to everyone who made our 2018 Smart Futures Dinner a memorable, uplifting success. With 300 people in attendance, this event was a testament to the ongoing support from our community for the Club's mission to give the gift of a great future to our young people.

Because of our staff and event committee's hard work, the gym at our Jeffers Unit was completely transformed into a beautiful banquet hall, totally fit for a decadent Olde Richmond Inn dinner and powerful presentations from our speakers!
By Kate Glen 25 Jul, 2018
Camp Guy is our beautiful, privately owned 168- acre campground on the Whitewater River near Connersville, and is open to any Boys & Girls
Clubs of Wayne County member for our summer programs!
By Kate Glen 08 Jun, 2018
In loving memory of former Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County Board Member, Bob Rosa, this event showcases gorgeously refurbished cars and motorcycles, with awards given to judge's choice of best car, truck, and motorcycle, and overall best in show, plus a delicious cookout spearheaded by the Club's Building & Community Services Director, Bradford Marshall.

Do you have a vintage vehicle or motorcycle you want to show off? Are you interested in being a judge or sponsor? Call Bradford Marshall at (765) 962-6922 or email bmarshall@bgcrichmond.org.
By Kate Glen 17 Apr, 2018
Through the Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids, Kick Butts Day is an incredible, interactive program that educates youth about the costs and dangers of using tobacco. Kids can touch and see real pigs' lungs demonstrating side-by-side the physical effects of tobacco smoke, study quality diagrams that showcase the damages of nicotine and tobacco, and the ever-popular inflatable jousting match with a giant cigarette!
By Kate Glen 23 Mar, 2018
Get all your Summer Program info here!
By Kate Glen 29 Jan, 2018
Our chili and Donna’s cornbread won by popular vote! The competition was fierce and there was a ton of delicious recipes, and we are so grateful to all who came out and supported some of the great organizations in our community.

We're already gearing up for next year! 
By Kate Glen 29 Jan, 2018
Pro golfer and Alan Pacific Foundation founder Derrick Allen's big heart and great energy provided our Club members with an unforgettable experience! They not only learned basic instructions, they also had an amazing time and learned how golf principles can apply to a joyful, productive life. Thank you, Derrick, for taking the time to impact the lives of our Wayne County youth!
By Kate Glen 19 Jan, 2018
Our Annual Dinner brought together two hundred community members and organization representatives who share and support our mission to enable Wayne County youth to realize their full potential, for which we couldn't be more grateful. Thank you to each and every one of you for a successful evening, and your continuing commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County!
By Kate Glen 14 Jan, 2018
We're thrilled to announce the opening of our fifth unit: the Westside Club!
More Posts
Share by: