Archives > Southlake Times > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Christmas Cottage a dream come true
By Christina Rowland/ Staff Writer
Lord Licorice, Gloppy the Molasses Monster, Grandma Nutt, Princess Lolly and King Kandy can be found lining the walls in what is normally a quiet warehouse on Industrial Street.
For a few weeks each December, that warehouse is transformed into a Christmas Paradise for the less fortunate. Christmas Cottage is an annual program that GRACE puts on for the less fortunate families in Grapevine, Colleyville, and Southlake.
The theme for this year’s ninth annual event is Candy Land Christmas and cottage coordinator Pam Goldmann wears a pink apron with a green-striped pocket that reads “Chief Elf”. Goldmann has been in charge of organizing the cottage for the past five years.
When someone enters the warehouse, it looks just like they have walked into Toys ‘R’ Us or any other toy store. There are shelves filled with every toy imaginable from the latest dolls, to DVDs, bicycles, and board games. The best part about this paradise is that it is all free to the families who qualify.
All the toys in the cottage are either donated to the cottage or bought with money donated to the cottage. Each donated toy is given a made up price and when parents come in they are given vouchers for dollar amounts depending on how old their child is and how many children they have.
“This is unique because the parents get to come in and actually shop for their child,” Goldmann said. “They get to pick out that individual doll or bicycle.”
Goldmann said they begin work on the Christmas Cottage every year in September, because they have to find a donated space to hold the event. Tim Lancaster donated his warehouse for the second year in a row to help out the program. The decoration of the warehouse begins in November, along with the collecting and sorting of the toys. The cottage is open from Dec. 11 to 22. Parents sign up prior to that date and are given a time slot to come in and shop.
Each parent gets about half an hour, but can have more time if they have more children or if they are having problems deciding. Each parent is also given two shoppers to help with the process, one to help with the vouchers, and one to carry the toys.
According to Goldmann, another unique thing that the cottage is offering this year is a family gift, such as a mixer, crock pot, tools, or other small appliances.
“Some people have never had anything new and they cry when they find out they get a family gift,” Goldmann said.
Tears are a fairly common thing at the cottage, both by parents and volunteers working the cottage.
To qualify for the Christmas Cottage families must live in Grapevine, Southlake, or Colleyville and live at 200 percent over the poverty level or below. Poverty level for a family of four is about $2,000 a month.
The cottage is completely operated by volunteers. Last year alone, it took 1,500 volunteer hours to run the cottage. Not only does the cottage need setting up and organizing, but also shoppers are needed to help the families, people are needed to restock toys and volunteers are later needed to clean up and break down the building.
Goldmann said a lot of companies, such as Saber, American Airlines, and others, donate man hours as a holiday service project. Still others, such as Charlie and Paula Walker of Walker Engineering, have donated 100 bicycles for the past couple of years.
“I think my husband and I probably donate bikes and trykes because we remember the joy of our children finding a shiny, new bike under the tree,” Walker said. “We’ve also seen firsthand how GRACE’s caring hearts and dignified way of distributing these Christmas donations make a real difference in family’s lives.”
Riding toys such as bicycles and tricycles are some of the most popularly requested gifts. And Goldmann said no bike leaves the cottage without a helmet.
Goldmann also works hard to make sure her warehouse remains stocked, toys are replenished daily and donations are accepted even after the cottage opens.
She says the best way for people to donate is to ship at Wal-Mart on State Highway 114. There they have placed trees with wish bells. Customers can pick up a wish bell when they enter the store, buy the toy on the bell and leave it at Wal-Mart to later be picked up by volunteers. About 15 wish bell trees have been placed throughout the area this year, including other places such as churches, schools, doctor’s offices and even Olive Garden. Donations for toys are also being accepted at the warehouse at 529 Industrial Avenue, suite 107, all the way until Dec.22.
“At this point we need donations. We encourage people to shop at Wal-Mart,” Goldmann said. “We also need volunteers.”
Goldmann said her volunteers leave happy and satisfied with the work they have done, and some even leave asking when there is time for them to come back again. Goldmann said volunteers are still needed and those wanting to help can contact her directly at 817-488-7009, ext. 340.
“The most rewarding experience for me is the hug from the client when they leave,” Goldmann said.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Mag wrote on Dec 9, 2008 9:44 PM:
" that cool "
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
