Shop of Wonders doors open for the season

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on November 15, 2024.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman The Shop of Wonders has officially open its doors to families in need.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

As part of the Christmas Hope Campaign, MyCityCare Shop of Wonders officially open its doors Thursday afternoon to those in need to be able to stop by to “shop” for their children.

Tanya Lister, volunteer program coordinator for MyCityCare, talked to media about their campaign kickoff Thursday and said they are ready to welcome families to this year’s location.

“This year we are at a new location for Shop of Wonders. We’re at 640 13th Street North and we have put hundreds of hours into getting this space ready,” said Lister.

She said it has been a team effort to decorate the space to make it as welcoming and Christmas like as possible, to give families an opportunity to get into the holiday spirit while they “shop.”

“This year at our Shop of Wonders we are expecting to help about 1,400 children and we have seen a lot of really good community support already,” said Lister.

She said that even though the shelves look stocked when people stop by, there is still a great need for many items, especially those with a bigger price tag.

“We’re always in need of Santa gifts. So those are the little bit higher price point items because children get stocking stuffers and they get what we call elf gifts and then they get Santa gifts,” said Lister.

She said they are still accepting donations and those who wish to help can do so in a few different ways.

“We’re definitely accepting donations for new and unwrapped toys. They can be dropped off here at the Shop of Wonders location from 1 p.m to 8 p.m. for the next couple of weeks. And then once December comes, we will be here for the whole day,” said Lister.

 She added that donations can also be dropped off at the MyCityCare office located at 120 F Mayor Magrath Drive North.

“And if you want to give financially, you can drop off your donation here at the Shop of Wonders or at My City Care. We also have a website that you can give at mycitycare.ca and just make sure that you select the Lethbridge location and you can give to our Shop of Wonders here,” said Lister.