Santa Shop open for donations and shopping

FORT MADISON – The Santa Shop is again in full speed in downtown Fort Madison.
The annual fundraiser for PAW Animal Shelter helps area youth pick out gifts for family members on two Saturdays before Christmas starting this week.
The shop, located just west of the Aldi’s entrance at 927 Avenue G in downtown Fort Madison, will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 7th and Dec. 14th for youths ages 3 to 12 to shop with elf assistance.
For a $5 donation, children can shop for gifts on lists they bring with them to the shop.
Director Sandy Brown said although no child is turned away for an inability to pay, the $5 donation goes to the PAW animal shelter.
“They need to be able and willing to shop with an elf. No adult parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, or grandparents are allowed to go with the children,” Brown said.

“They can pick out up to six items for $5 and we encourage them to bring a list and indicate if the names are for a male or female because we can’t always tell by the name if it’s male or female."
The shop will also be open Friday night Dec. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. for donations to be dropped off. Donations can be toys and gifts, but no clothing. The shop also welcomes monetary donations to help offset costs for those that can’t afford the $5 donation.
Donations will also be accepted on Tuesday and Thursday, Dec. 10th and 12th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This is the sixteenth year the Santa Shop has been available to local children and families. Brown said it wouldn’t still be in operation if it wasn’t for the generosity of so many, including Aldi.
“We are very, very beyond thankful to Aldi who has let us use their space for the past three years. If we have to move, we’re done,” she said.
“We’ve moved it eight or nine times if not more, and that’s a lot of work. The store wouldn’t happen if we didn’t have that location. They let us stay all year long.”
Brown also asked that those wishing to donate, not bring wrapping paper as the shop elves have enough for this season. However, gift bags work very well and are quick for elves to help shoppers have gifts prepared to leave the store.