THE NEXT PAPER COMES OUT MONDAY, DECEMBER 23
The Community
Press
TEXT ‘ABFIRES’We to 45678 to donate to Red Cross for Jasper wildfire relief Wish You $10 A Merry Christmas! Volume 117 Issue 25
www.thecommunitypress.com
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 s
In The Park
LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO
The 5th annual Sparkle in the Park opened this weekend at Sedgewick Lake Park just north of the town, and it was the biggest and brightest yet! With new spots open, this year’s event features extended hours and lots of new displays. Above: The Sedgewick Ag Society went for something unique with their display of a cow pulling a sleigh. See the full story and more photos on Page 4.
Killam Twice Nice makes magic for little ones shopping for their loved ones Leslie Cholowsky Editor
For the third year in a row, the Killam Twice Nice store has hosted a shopping night for children so that they have an opportunity they might not otherwise have to purchase a gift for their family members. On the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 10, over 50 children took the opportunity to shop for gifts for Mom (or Dad, or grandparents....) Twice Nice volunteer Jacquie Bonnett says, “The first year we had it just as a trial and it wasn’t as successful that year, but we tweaked some things and tried it again for a second year, and last year it was a very good success, with around 30 children.” Heading into the 2024 event, Twice Nice Volunteers start putting donated
items away early in the year. “Occasionally we get brand new items still in their original boxes, and we set those aside for this night.” She says Christmas decor is also popular with the pint-sized shoppers, as well as books. Bonnett says each child that comes into the store during the event receives $5 in Twice Nice money (Monopoly money) to spend. They are free to spend more, if they want, but that’s enough to purchase nearly anything in the store. Parents can come in to accompany the children but are not allowed to shop that night. Volunteer ‘personal shoppers’ are on hand to help the children make their selections, too. Bonnett says it’s a very popular event with the volunteers, who go away feeling as happy as the
hours time getting the store ready. kids. “We’re so blessed with good people There’s a lot of prep work that goes into a night like this, with volunteers working and donating their gently showing up as soon as the store closed used items.” She says one day while the store was on Tuesday, and working to transform the stock with all the items they’ve open the outdoor bins were emptied 10 times as donations kept rolling in. been saving. After such a big success this year, she Bonnett says the event is offered as a service to the community, adding, says the shopping night will definitely “And we mean the entire Flagstaff be back next Christmas. “We’ve already received some really Community.” She says probably a majority of the great feedback from this week’s shopchildren were from Killam but that a ping event.” Twice Nice also donates free swims few were from other communities, too. Once each shopper found the perfect at the Killam Pool at various times durgift, they also received free gift-wrap- ing the year. The organizations also supports a ping with a Christmas bag or box. We will reopen Tuesday, Aug. 6 at Bonnett says most everything used family sports fund through Flagstaff 9 a.m. andand our Community next edition Family Services to came from donated gift-bags or wrap. help kids coverWedneday. the costs of dues “And we have such wonderful vol- be will still published Aug.and 7 to play sports unteers,” Bonnett says. “They put in a equipment Ad deadlines will benecessary noon Tuesday, Aug. 6 in lot of hours, including a lot of after- the region.
The Community Press office will be CLOSED Monday, August 5 for the Civic Holiday.