Shafter Christmas Store continuing this year to help families in need

The Shafter Chamber of Commerce will be holding its annual Christmas Store this year despite the pandemic, although it will look a bit different.

The event will not be an in-person event this year and parents will shop for gifts on the Christmas Store website in early December. Gifts will be collected at a curbside event later in the month.

Organizers Melissa Bergen, Katie Wiebe and Brittney Neal-Soberanis said the in-person event will be missed, but they knew the Christmas Store had to go on.

In past years, residents have donated toys and other items for children in the program. Then the children's parents go shopping for their kids at discounted prices, usually about 80-90% off.

This year, toy collections will take place throughout November and the Christmas Store will kick off Dec. 12.

Organizers said there are a few ways for people to help volunteer for the program. They need volunteers at the site of the Christmas Store and also need help with toy collection and donations. All items will be purchased through Amazon Wishlist.

Go to http://www.shafterchristmasstore.com for more information.